A Side Dish! It's POTATOES!!

I realized that I mostly post main dishes or desserts....but we can't just have a main dish without something to serve it with, right? And if our "main dish" is something simple or semi-boring (like hamburgers, or grilled chicken) it is nice to excite your dinner by adding a yummy side-dish. So, here are a few of our favorites:

Roasted Parmesan Potatoes
4 medium potatoes, peeled (can use red potatoes, or any kind you like)
1 tbs vegetable oil
3 tbs grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Slice potatoes in half, then cut into 1/2 inch cubes. Place potatoes in medium bowl and toss with oil (or in a zip lock bag). Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Add herb/cheese mix to potatoes and toss to coat potatoes evenly. Arrange potatoes on prepared baking sheet. Bake, turning once, until potatoes are lightly browned and easily pierced with a knife, about 25 minutes.

Microwave Cheesy Potatoes
4 cups potatoes, thinly sliced
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
2 tbs butter
3 tbs cornstarch
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 to 1 1/2 cups grated cheese (Cheddar, Colby or Monterrey jack)
1/2 cup sour cream, optional

Mix milk and cornstarch until smooth. Add remaining ingredients except cheese. Put in 2 qt glass microwave dish. Cook 15-20 minutes on high in microwave, stirring every 5-7 minutes. Add cheese, and sour cream if desired, and let stand 3-5 minutes to allow cheese to melt.

Scalloped Potatoes
6 potatoes, peeled and cut into disks
1/2 onion, diced
1 can cream of mushroom soup
shredded cheese, to taste

Place potatoes and onion in pot of water with a pinch of salt. Boil until barely tender, but not done. Mix potatoes with soup and desired amount of cheese. Microwave until bubbly.