The other day I was in the store reaching for a can of breadcrumbs, and a woman (black if you want to get specific, she had the tallest hair I'd ever seen) was standing directly behind me, talking on her phone. She said "They got your sausage on sale, I'll make swamp potatoes."
After she walked away, I turned around and saw the sausage she was talking about--Eckrich Smoked Cheddar. Can't say I ever bought this, and I had NO idea what 'swamp potatoes' were. But it was only $2.99, so I tossed a pack into my cart. When I got home, I looked up swamp potatoes and saw a hundred versions of this recipe that included extras like oil, butter, salt, garlic, Cajun seasoning, chicken broth, water, smoked paprika, chopped onions, onion soup mix.
But they all boiled down to the same few ingredients in a crockpot: green beans, onion, Yukon gold potatoes, smoked sausage. I had the veggies, garlic powder & Cajun seasoning in my cupboard, and a mini-crockpot. So why not give it a go.
I dumped the chopped onion in first, followed by one can of green beans (and didn't drain them--I figured that would be my water/broth). Added 3 pats of butter. Chopped 10 little yellow potatoes in half, tossed them in, sprinkled garlic powder over them and a couple shakes of that Old Bay.
Finally, I sliced ONE of those sausage links in 1/2" inch slices, put them on top. Wonder how it will all turn out?
Well, it seems I did everything right. I didn't add extra liquid (aside from the green beans) and it didn't need any, the pot made plenty. No oil or soup mix either, just a few pats of butter and I went very easy on the spices. A little of that Old Bay goes a long way.
I let it cook on low for 2 hours, then high for 90 minutes. I put a dollop of sour cream with some smoked paprika on the side, and it was absolutely delicious. I can't wait to make this again.
What an adventurous cooking challenge and hurray for the tasty results! Sounds like you got a keeper there, Doug. Take care, Kris in Ohio
ReplyDeleteThank you Kris, much appreciated. :^)
DeleteGood job on eavesdropping a great meal!
ReplyDeleteThanks DJan, I know this isn't exactly gourmet cooking, but for a single guy who can't really cook... :^)
DeleteI make a version of this! I think it is more of a Polish version. The spices are the same. I use sliced cabbage, carrots, onion and potatoes. It is an easy throw together meal though, and I always keep a couple of those links in my freezer. Do you like bean soup? That sausage makes a good pot of 16 bean soup.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debby--well I'm not a big fan of bean soup but I do love cabbage, that does sound good. I'd love to try it :^)
DeleteTo be honest, its simple ingredients, Sometimes the best meals come from random moments like that
ReplyDeleteNicely said, thank you Asep. I hope you're doing well. 🙂
DeleteSounds interesting.. we hate canned green beans so would add fresh instead
ReplyDeleteI think the next time I make it I'm going to use frozen green beans. I'm not ready for fresh just yet!
DeleteRecipe sounds good (except I don't like the taste of canned green beans - would change it to fresh or frozen). DH uses Eckrich smoked sausage in our red beans and it's great. Have never used the Cheddar one, but imagine it would be good. I tried a new recipe last week that is a hashbrown casserole that uses smoked sausage (but I only had Italian sausage at home). It was a keeper, but next time I will use the smoked... and will probably post that recipe as DH and grandson really liked it. Think you would too, Dug.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rian and thank you for sharing. I thought of you when I looked up swamp potatoes because I knew that was from your neck of the woods so to speak. 🙂
DeleteYou are right... that is my neck of the woods.
DeleteI've never heard of swamp potatoes either! You are an adventurous cook. Doug. I admire that because I'm not.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret, it just sounded very doable. Dump a bunch of things in a crockpot for a few hours? I can do that 🙂
DeleteLove that you got the idea from a fellow shopper - staying alert pays off! I bet other frozen veggies would be a good addition, corn, sliced carrots, etc.
ReplyDeleteCeci
Thank you Ceci, and I very much agree. I want to make this again and mix it up a bit.
DeleteThat looks like a fast and easy supper! Thanks for the recipe. Not sure I will call it swamp potatoes, lol .
ReplyDeleteMiss Merry thank you for humoring me, compared to you and your dishes I'm a caveman 😄
DeleteLooking at the ingredients before cooking, and the amount you served, it looked to me that you’ll be having Swamp Potatoes for the rest of the week (or longer).
ReplyDeleteI’ve never heard of swamp potatoes, but neither had you so I guess it’s not some famous regional cuisine.
I’m not a fan of sausages in things. Even with cassoulet I’ll eat the confit duck and only nibble at the sausage. Either that or pass them on to someone else.
Maestro, those potatoes were tiny--this made exactly enough for 2 meals. I'm not a fan of sausage either, probably buy it once every couple years. But this primitive dish (compared to your gourmet cuisine) was still pretty tasty :^)
DeleteDoug, this looks delicious! I had no idea what swamp potatoes were. I love Crock Pot meals. Fling everything in and leave it be.Enjoy!❤️
ReplyDeleteRobin
Thanks Robin! So agreed about crockpot meals, I'm going to start doing more of them 😋
DeleteI love one pot meals and apparently smoked sausage is high on the list of ingredients in many blogs recently. I needed to use up some garlic mashed potatoes, so last night I fried up onion and red pepper with smoked sausage, tossed it in the left over potatoes and put that in the fry pan to crisp up a bit. A little added cheese on top and it was delicious. I'll have to try your swamp potatoes but I'll change out the green beans for carrots? Not a fan of green beans at all.
ReplyDeleteMaebeme, you're making my stomach growl! Your meal sounded REALLY good, thanks for sharing. And yes I think carrots would be awesome instead of green beans, I'm going to have to try that now 😋
DeleteI think I will change to smoked Polish Kielbasa sausage, fresh or frozen green beans and shred a large carrot... rest stays the same.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Bettina, that does sound better. I want to do the same. 🙂
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