Did you ever play that game when you were younger? You know
the one – where two or more of you sit in a circle and count potatoes with your
fists on top of each other. (This came way before the current fist pumping all
the young people do now, but who knows, maybe it started here. J) I don’t know what the
game was actually, but it was fun nonetheless. So many different games we used
to play – hopscotch, four square, charades, dodge ball, along with many, many
others. I remember everyone on my block gathering in my backyard for our weekly
game of kick – ball. We especially loved it when my mom would join us. A couple
of the guys down the street gave her the nickname “Slugger” because she could
really kick that ball far. It was so much fun…
Those memories we have when we were little last with us all
through our lives. They can come from a old picture, playing a particular game
with our kids, a tradition during the holidays, or a certain food we always
ate. If you look back, I’m sure there
was something your mom or dad cooked or baked that was special to your family.
Or maybe it was a food that was simple to prepare and inexpensive for your
large family to eat. My youngest sister remembers the blade steaks that my dad
used to buy at the grocery store. They were individual sized pieces of beef
that had a sliver of gristle (or fat) down the middle of the meat. This cut of
steak was extremely reasonable in price for a family of six to eat. Dad loved to eat steak and he shared that
love with all of his family, so to have steak at least once a week was a treat
for us. My sister, however, was not so
happy. While the rest of us enjoyed our steak and potatoes and salad, she
couldn't stand that gristly thing that sat on her plate. She was a good girl
and ate her food, but the memory of that blade steak stayed with her for the
rest of her life. To this day, she will not buy or cook that piece of meat for
herself or her family. It’s a family story we all enjoy sharing when we get
together for dinner or the holidays. She hated blade steaks, I hated chicken
thighs, and my dad hated liver.
Growing up in a family of six was difficult at times, but my
mom and dad didn't let on to us kids. We
knew we weren't rich in the monetary sense, yet we never went without. There
was always food on the table and Mom made sure her children never went hungry.
(She hated it when she knew other children were suffering too. She would shop
at the store and pick up extra food to give away for other families having it
rough too. I don’t know how many times we did that during the year.) Mom would
also think of new ways to prepare whatever was in the house to eat. Whether it
was hamburger or pasta or potatoes, Mom was in the kitchen taking care of her family
to the best of her ability. One such recipe came to be an absolute favorite for
all four of us children. I don’t know if anyone else in the world eats this,
but I love it and so do my sisters and brother. We have made it countless times
since we were little and I have shared with my son and he loves it too. It’s
our very own “Potato sandwich.”
I share this recipe
simply because it is something my family and I love. I cannot claim it is
highly healthy for you, because honestly, it isn't. The ingredients consist of
oil, butter, salt, potatoes, and white bread. (I have used wheat bread with
this recipe and it works, but it’s not the same as when I was younger.)
Potatoes have always been a staple in my family’s home and when you’re feeding
four kids and there isn't much food in the pantry before Saturday or Sunday
grocery shopping, potatoes are a perfect filling food. The Potato Sandwich
filled up our little bellies and we were quite content.
As I grow older, I realize that life brings on changes in
our day to day routines and in our way of thinking. I am more conscious of my
exercise (that I don’t do enough) and my eating habits. I try to limit my
intake of salt and fatty foods. I portion my share of cookies and goodies, and
I try my best not to eat a lot of fried foods. Everyone once in awhile though,
I am in need of a warm and fuzzy remembrance of my childhood. That is when I
take out the frying pan and potatoes, and I prepare myself a memory for all my
taste buds.
Mom’s Potato Sandwich
Ingredients - (Makes 2 sandwiches)
3 good sized russet potatoes (I’m
from Maine and I’m partial to russet)
½ cup oil or more (You want enough to
cover the bottom of your pan plus some extra)*
4 pieces of white bread (Wheat is
okay if that’s what is on hand.)
Butter or margarine (To spread on
the bread.)
Salt
Paper Towels or napkins
Directions
Wash potatoes thoroughly, or if
you choose peel them. (My mom always peeled them for us.) Slice potatoes into
medium thin slices. They don’t have to be uniform, but the thicker the potato,
the longer it takes to cook. Don’t make them too thin though, because then you
will be making potato chips. (They taste good too!)
Pour oil in pan and heat
carefully. You will be frying the potatoes so be careful. Let oil heat slightly
before placing potatoes in pan. Be watchful of spattering. Place potatoes in
pan in a single layer if possible. This helps them to fry better and not stick together
as much. Brown one side of the potato lightly and then turn over with spatula
or slotted spoon. Allow other side to become golden brown. When finished, dry the fried potatoes on a layer of paper towels to absorb the extra grease. Salt them according to
your taste. Finish cooking the rest of the potatoes in the same manner.
Once potatoes are ready, spread
butter or margarine on one side of each piece of bread. Cover two of your bread slices with all those cooked
potatoes. Place the other piece of buttered bread on top. Cut in half
diagonally because that is how you truly cut a sandwich for someone you love, even
when it’s just you. Sit back, turn on your favorite childhood cartoon or show
and enjoy!
*If you have a deep fryer, fill it to the desired level with your oil. I love mine and they are so easy to use.
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