How did you all spend your Mother’s Day this year? I spent the day with my mom and taught her how to make this delicious dish for a family gathering at my aunt’s place. This recipe is definitely time consuming, but I felt like it was a good one to make so I could spend some quality time with my mom in the kitchen. If you have the time and patience for it, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Everyone who has tasted it raves about it and goes for seconds, so be prepared for a bunch of compliments! 😉

BACON JALAPEÑO SCALLOPED POTATOES RECIPE 

INGREDIENTS

• ~3 lbs russet potatoes (4-5 potatoes) – peeled and thinly sliced (soak in water while you prep so it doesn’t brown)
• ~10 pieces bacon – cooked & diced
• 2 jalapeños – finely diced (no seeds = mild, one w/seeds = medium, both w/seeds = spicy)
• 2 leeks (white and light green part only) -thinly sliced
• 1 ½ tsp salt & black pepper
• 2 cloves of garlic -minced
• 2 cups of heavy cream
• 1 ½ cups of half & half
• 1 cup Colby jack cheese -shredded (additional 1/4 cup for top)
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese -shredded (additional 1/4 cup for top)
• 1 tbsp parsley -chopped (can sub for dried)

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Coat a 9×13’’ pan with olive oil and set aside.
• Cook bacon in a sauce pan over medium heat until crispy (~13 minutes). Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate and set aside. Leave ~2tbsp of bacon grease in pan.
• Add the jalapeños, leeks, salt and pepper into the same pan on medium heat and sauté until leeks have softened (~4 minutes).
• Add garlic and cook until fragrant (~1 minute).
• Add in the heavy cream and half-and-half and bring to a simmer, then immediately remove from heat and add in both cheese.
• Stir until cheese is completely melted.
• Stir in the bacon.
• Put the potatoes in the cheese sauce and gently toss to thoroughly coat (may take a few times).
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the potatoes to the greased pan (this will help keep some of the cheese sauce in the pan) and top it off with the remaining sauce.
• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1hr & 10mins.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with additional cheese and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until top is golden brown.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley.
•  Let it sit for 5mins before serving (will be bubbly when you take it out).

ENJOY!!!!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” -Ruth Reichl