Shortly after we started dating, Scott invited me to come for dinner after I got off of work.  I arrived at 10 pm hungry and ready to eat.  When I mentioned I would like his Smashed Potatoes, he said it would be an hour.  My reply was “Don’t you have a microwave?”  He said he would never use one if he had one.  My first gift to him was a microwave oven.  If I called him when he was fixing his dinner, I often heard the microwave dinging in the background. Now he can’t be without one!  One of the nice things about this recipe is the entire meal can be done in the microwave.  This recipe serves two as written but can be expanded.

2 baking potatoes

1/2 pound ground beef

Olive Oil

1 green bell pepper, chopped

4 green onions, sliced

Shredded cheese of choice (I prefer Colby Jack)

Sour cream

Butter

All the cooking is done in the microwave at the high setting. Brown ground beef until desired doneness stirring after each minute of cooking.  Drain.  Cook bell pepper and green onions in small amount of olive oil for 2 minutes. Pierce potatoes with a fork and cook on high for 10 minutes turning the potatoes after 5 minutes.  Place on plates, cut in to pieces, and mash with fork or masher.  Rewarm beef and vegetables for about 30 seconds each.  Set out along with the remaining three ingredients. I let diners load their own potatoes.  Obviously, you can alter the recipe using your own favorite vegetables.

Next Month:  Apple Smothered Pork Chops

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