Bread: Potato Crust?

Subject: Potato Crust?
Newsgroups: rec.food.cooking
From: kwheless at rockland.net (Karen Wheless)
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 01:48:03 GMT
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I have a recipe that calls for frozen hash browns to make a crust, sort of like a quiche or pie crust. However, I'd rather use fresh potatoes, I haven't been able to find any decent-looking frozen hash browns at the grocery. The recipe says to just put the hash browns in the dish, and add the filling. But, I think I'll need to cook the raw pototoes first. How long? Can I bake them shredded in the pan (before adding the filling), or do I have to boil them? Whenever I try to make hashbrowns, I always end up with hash mush because the potatoes overcook before I shred them. How long should I cook them so they still come out firm and shreddable?

Thanks very much for the advice,
From: cryambers at aol.com (pat)
Date: 22 May 1998 14:18:07 GMT
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Have you tried shredding them first? You might be able to put them in uncooked, but I would wonder what would hold them together. Are you supposed to add an egg or something for binding? (Or do the frozen hash browns go into the pie plate frozen together?) If you'd rather use cooked potatoes, you could probably substitute a mashed potato crust. (Or would that change the dish too much?)

The recipe sounds interesting. Could you post it?
From: kwheless at rockland.net (Karen Wheless)
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 20:44:52 GMT
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> The recipe sounds interesting. Could you post it?

Here's the recipe, which I picked out as a good way to use up leftover ham. But I was afraid that the potatoes on the bottom would end up soggy if they weren't cooked at all.

Ham and Cheese Casserole

8 ounces cream cheese softened
1 cup cream-style cottage cheese
1 tablespoon chives snipped
1 teaspoon basil (dry)
1/2 teaspoon paprika
3 cups frozen loose-pack hash brown potatoes thawed
2 cups cooked ham cut in small cubes
1 cup Mozzarella cheese shre

Mix the cream cheese, cottage cheese and spices until well blended. In an ungreased 10x6x2" pan, place half of the hash browns. Spread the cream cheese over the top. Sprinkle the ham cubes evenly over the cheese and top with half of the mozzarella. Top with the remaining hash browns. Bake at 400' for 35-40 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top during the last two or three minutes, just until it melts. Serves 6-8.
From: Liam (saiga at concentric.net)
Date: 23 May 1998 04:52:04 EDT
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> Ham and Cheese Casserole

I am familiar with this recipe - or at least one very similar. What you need is frozen hash browns that are cubed not shredded. These are the ones that look like Potatoes O'Brien (which you could use for extra flavor). Try the OreIda brand, they are quite good.
From: A. Ferszt (a.ferszt at ic.ac.uk)
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 10:07:35 -0700
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I always understood that hash browns were made from raw potatoes. I make my potato pancakes (which could be considered a forerunner of hash browns) from raw grated potatoes. There are a couple of dishes I make with thinly sliced uncooked potatoes that go into the oven as is. Probably if you can shred the potatoes finely (with a mandoline or food processor) they can go on top and bake OK.