Let those recipes go.... edition 3 (reader submission)

This is from another reader and I'm drooling already. They even threw in a picture! Don't be shy - submit your favourite recipe(s) too.....

Karl,

Since the favourite recipes posted by you and Jim & Pam are oven-baked in a casserole dish, here is a favourite oven-baked, casserole dish-based family recipe of ours for your Karl Konsideration and Konsumption. The aromatic “Plesz-ing” smell of baking Kugela wafting out of your kitchen will quickly draw a hungry crowd waiting for the oven timer to go off.

Kugela (Grandma Buti’s Old Lithuanian Recipe)

Kugela is a delicious oven-baked potato pudding and is easy to prepare and cook. It is Classic European food art and is a national dish of Lithuania. No family celebration or other communal gathering that includes eating would be complete without it. Traditionally, Kugela is served topped with a generous dollop of sour cream and an applesauce accompaniment.

• 5 lb Russet Potatoes finely grated (Can be prepared using any variety of potato, but, because Russet Potatoes high in starch and light and fluffy when cooked-baked, Russets are considered Grandma Gourmet Kugela Kritical).
• 1 lb Bacon; cut across the strips into 1/2" sized pieces.
• 6 Eggs.
• 1 Large Onion; grated (Vidalia Sweet Onion, if available).
• 2 Tablespoons of Salt (if desired, add a dash or two of Black Pepper).
• ½ Cup of flour.
• 1 Can (12 ounces) evaporated milk.

Fry bacon pieces in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp; remove to paper towels to drain. Reserve and set aside about one quarter cup of the bacon drippings for later use. Sauté grated onions lightly. Combine rendered bacon pieces, reserved bacon drippings and sautéed onion together with potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Stir flour, milk, eggs, and salt-pepper into the bowl. Pour blended mixture into lightly greased glass pan (13 x 9 x 2). Bake in a conventional oven at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) until top is nicely brown, about 1-1½ hours (i.e. until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean).

Cut into serving sized squares and top each with a generous dollop of sour cream.

Serves 10 normal people or 6-8 from a hungry family or group (1½ hours with 30 min prep time).

Kugela is great for Pot Luck dinners and reheats well in the microwave oven.

Enjoy,
Joe and Dolores Poliakon