Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

This recipe tastes deceptively rich, despite containing no cheese, and being made with skim milk. The ham can be omitted if serving as a side dish.

Lori L. Stalteri via Flickr

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced onions
• 4 1/2 cups thinly sliced potatoes
• 2 cups ham, diced (optional)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons butter, plus additional for greasing baking dish
• 7 teaspoons of flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika, plus additional for sprinkling on top if desired
• 1 3/4 cups skim milk

Recipe:

#Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
#Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a saucepan large enough to hold the potatoes and onions.
#Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
#Add the parsley, onions, potatoes, and 2 teaspoons of salt to the boil water. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
#Drain and set aside
#Melt the butter in a 4 cup glass measuring cup in the microwave.
#Whisk in the salt, pepper, paprika, and flour until smooth.  Add the milk, and whisk until dissolved.
#Microwave the sauce on high power for 2 minutes, then whisk.  Repeat once or twice more until white sauce has thickened.
#Place half of the potatoes and onions in the baking dish. Add the ham, and top with the remaining potatoes and onions. 
#Pour the sauce over the top, stirring if needed to make sure it surrounds the potato-onion-ham mixture.  Sprinkle more paprika on top if desired.
#Bake uncovered for 35 minutes until potatoes are tender and top is browned.