Moon Magic

Tonight the moon certainly stood out in the night sky much like Monday evening. It was a celestial show and a perfect time for fairies to gather for their evening meeting. I imagine they discuss their work and make plans for next day. Perhaps tonight they might help each other spin fine threads of gossamer to make wings. It is a fact not all fairies are born with wings and it is important each fairy owns several pairs. Sometimes when it is real quiet outside late at night I can hear strains of music. To me that is a sure sign fairies have finished their work and are enjoying dancing by the light of the moon. The following recipe is a tasty treat fairies would love to serve for their evening gathering.

Mashed-Potato Casserole

with smoked Gouda and bacon

Ingredients:

• 6 slices of applewood smoked bacon
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 3 lbs russet potatoes,peeled cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups toasted bread crumbs that have been mixed with 2 TB parsley flakes
• 2 cups (8oz) coarsely grated smoked Gouda cheese

Directions:

• Butter a pan 13x9
• Cook bacon till crisp drain on paper towel, crumble and mix with chopped onion
• Place potatoes in pot and add enough cold water to cover
• Sprinkle with salt cover and boil till potatoes are tender-about 20 minutes,drain
• Return potatoes to pot cook over low heat till potatoes are dry and light-about 2 minutes
• Add sour cream, milk and butter-use potato masher, mash till smooth-better yet try a ricer for this step
• Stir in 1 1/2 cup Gouda and 1 cup bacon/onion mixture
• Season with salt and pepper
• Spread in pan, sprinkle rest of cheese over potatoes
• Top with bread crumbs
• Bake 375 uncovered until cheese melts and edges of potatoes are bubbling about 30 minutes