INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

Swiss or a mixture such as Swiss, mozzarella, Jack, and/or Cheddar [I
actually used all four kinds. Worked out okay.  S.C.] ** diced, thinly
sliced, or ground (to make 6 to 8 cups)  Here's my contribution to the
thread on scalloped potatoes and ham.  As far as I'm concerned, no
others need apply.  This is the best I've  ever tasted. It's from my
new Julia Child book, "The Way to Cook".  Also++since the recipe is for
18 to 24 servings++it'll give the folks  with amount-converting recipe
programs a chance to put them through  their paces. ;-}  Here is a
great crowd pleaser, as well as a deliciously economical  one that
needs only a copious salad, a loaf of bread, and a jug of  light red
wine to make the meal.  For 18 to 24 servings  SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
SUGGESTED:  A food processor is useful for slicing and grating; and
8-quart  covered kettle; a heavy-bottomed 3-quart saucepan, for the
sauce; a  buttered 6-quart baking dish about 3 inches deep, for the
final dish  THE POTATOES:  Have ready the kettle containing 4 cups of
cold water.  Peel the  potatoes and slice them 1/4 inch thick, dropping
them into the cold  water to cover as you do so.  Cover the kettle, and
bring to the  boil. Uncover and boil slowly for 3 to 4 minutes, until
barely cooked  through++eat several slices to check.  Drain, cover the
kettle again  for 3 to 4 minutes to firm up the potato slices, then
uncover.  THE GARLIC AND MUSTARD SAUCE:  Make the classic white sauce;
cook the butter and flour together in  the saucepan until they foam and
froth for 2 minutes without  coloring. Off heat pour in half the hot
milk; whisk vigorously to  blend as you pour in the rest; simmer for 3
minutes, stirring. Remove  from heat and whisk in the seasonings; bring
to the simmer again;  taste carefully, and add additional seasonings to
taste.  [I didn't  type in the sauce referred to. It was essentially a
longer version of  what's given above along with tips on handling it.
S.C.]  ASSEMBLING  Spoon a 1/16-inch layer of sauce on the bottom of
the buttered baking  dish. Set aside 3 cups of the sauce and 1 cup of
the cheese for the  topping. Now, to arrange everything in 4 layers,
start with a quart  of the potatoes, then a quarter of the ham, follow
by a third of the  sauce and sprinkle on a third of the cheese.
Continue in layers,  finishing the final layer with the remaining
potatoes and ham; spread  on the reserved 3 cups of sauce to cover
completely, then the last of  the cheese.  AHEAD OF TIME NOTE:  May be
prepared a day in advance, cover when  cool and refrigerate.  An hour
or so before you plan to serve, preheat the oven to 375f.  Bake in the
upper third level just until the potatoes are bubbling  hot and the top
has browned nicely.  About 45 minutes.  AHEAD OF TIME NOTE:  May be
kept warm uncovered on a hot tray but be  sure not to overheat or the
potatoes and ham will dry out.  From "The Way to Cook", Julia Child,
Alfred Knopf, 1989 ISBN  0-394-53264-3  Posted by Stephen Ceideberg;
September 28 1992.  File
ftp://ftp.idiscover.co.uk/pub/food/mealmaster/recipes/cberg2.zip

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