So I was making scalloped potatoes and using my son’s knives. Can you guess what happened next? Yes. You are right. I cut the finger. Really cut it. And I am quite the bleeder so I had to call in a Troop. Who was kind enough to be my hands. And I talked this very young fellow through making Mama’s Scalloped Potatoes.
As he was dealing with the garlic, I reached for the mandolin to cut the potatoes, I have never used a mandolin before. Surely I could do this one-handed. Wow, what a gadget! They are so sharp and make short work of the potatoes AND another finger on the other hand. Next time I am going to bring my own knives. By now I had both hands bandaged and needed more help.
Ava was paying close attention. I am not sure she would have been that useful. Third Son came home and helped the Troop. 
We rested the sliced potatoes in salty water with the whole garlic cloves and a few twigs of rosemary. 
To assemble the scalloped potatoes. Grease your dish, and wipe with a sliced piece of garlic. Layer thinly sliced potato, onion and cheese and pepper ending with potato and cheese. Half fill the dish with cream. 
Cook in a moderate oven for about two hours, slowly, until tender and tasty.
Ava wants a taste.
We had the Scalloped Potatoes with grilled lamb chops that had been lightly sprinkled with sea salt. Bowls of Mama Coleslaw. Now, my darlings, I am talking with limited fingers! Taking off the tips of your fingers is not a comfortable style. Ow. So I write again tomorrow.
c
The Kitchen's Garden 
99 responses to “Scalloped Potatoes and Knives”
Wonderful scalloped potatoes! Sorry about the fingers.
Scalloped potatoes are a staple in most households, we love them. Thanks Rosemary! c
I love your audience! Sorry you are hurting. I call this dish (identical) Farmhouse Potatoes. A great favourite with my family.
I like that name Farmhouse Potatoes, maybe i will change its name! c
A beautiful dish & bad luck. (Subtitle: Yumm & Yuck!) 😉
Yum and OUCH! ha ha ha .. c
OOh yum! You’ve just given me an idea for tonight’s dinner, thanks! (Will leave the fingers out of it though!)
good thinking, the dripping blood was a little off putting!
Oh no C, sorry to hear that you have gone and hurt both your hands – NO fun!
Your scalloped spuds look fabulous – love the idea of adding a sprig of rosemary.
🙂 Mandy
Oops, also meant to say the second photo of Ava is priceless – precious pup! 🙂
Thank you Mandy, My Son has a great rosemary bush! c
Ouch! Double ouch! Years ago, while I was putting final touches on a meal I was preparing to serve, a friend asked, “Cuts or burns?” He said that all cooks either cut themselves or burn themselves. You, my Dear, are a cutter and there’s no use trying to deny it with bandages on both hands. I am a burner and after my guests have left my home, I can recall each dish that was served by the burn on my hand(s). Your potatoes, by the way, look incredible!
Yep, I´m a burner too, although I have had a few spectacular cuts when using other people´s knives like C. I´m left handed, so using my own knives is a big deal! Celia – the poattoes look amazing and hurrah for the Troop!
I was lucky to have a back-up and Last time i visited I did bring my own knives, Tanya! Just forgot this time i guess!.. c
I AM a cutter, John , that is so funny. I never thought about it, but I seldom burn myself. And you Do. Well we would be quite the pair in a kitchen wouldn’t we! c
Oh my dearest Cecilia, you cut your fingers… be careful for next time… Ava is amazing, how looking at you, as if going to talk to you…. This potato dish seems so beautiful, I can imagine how delicious… But of course you cook it… 🙂 Thank you dear Cecilia, Blessing and Happiness for you all there, and beware of the knives! with my love, nia
My son has put away the cutty knives! and left me with the heavy ones that i prefer.. ha ha c
As Marco Pierre White would say to injured sous chefs and the like ” God wouldn’t have given you fingers if he didn’t mean them to be cut” – my hands are endlessly healing from the last cut or burn. That’s meant to be sympathetic – not great,eh?
Empathetic though, thanks Roger. And i had no idea that this happened to other cooks TOO! c
I sure hope Ava got a taste of those potatoes after looking so cute and patiently watching!! You can tell by your sunny pics you are not in Kansas Dorothy!!
It is beautiful weather here spice. I don’t think John is having lunch by the swimming pool! c
That will teach you to play with your son’s toys…sorry about the finger, really.
Potatoes are the best.I can imagine my life without pretty much anything, but potatoes.
I know, he raised his eyebrows when he got home and heard all about it! c
Fabulous potatoes and kitchen hospital! I hope you heal quickly 😉
I do heal quickly, thanks Mad! c
Oh, ouch! We have a mandolin slicer, which is responsible for one of the scars on my left hand. And a lovely weighted Henkels chopping knife, which is responsible for two of the scars on my right hand. Sigh. Good news about the kitchen troop, and your scalloped potatoes look beyond delicious. You’ve inspired me to approach the mandolin again. Slowly. With palm extended… Thanks, C!
I loved that thing initially! And am very wary of it now. The Troop at 10 years old proceeded to show me how to do it safely!.. c
Ava looks so concerned. It must have been a serious cut!
Ava is such a lovely dog.. Not TonTon, much quieter! c
I hope that you are able to use both hands again soon. I imagine it’s difficult to type and cook when you cannot use all of your fingers. The think I most love about potatoes is that they are so versatile; there are so many ways of cooking them. Your dish of creamy potatoes looks yummmy.
AND operating the camera with dripping fingers.. hopeless! c
HEAVENS! I was afraid of what that title implied, and sure enough . . . . Sounds like you managed the sort of self-destruction that would, unfortunately, surpass the reconstructive powers of my little superglue cure. Quick healing, my dearest!
Obviously your slasher movie reenactment did not in any way impede your powers as chef de cuisine, however. The potatoes are as beautiful as any I’ve seen, and I *do* know my scalloped spuds!
Please, next time just remember to keep the sharp implements’ influence away from fingers and ‘sticking’ closer to the food! Healing hugs to you. 🙂
Superglue!? And you are right I sheered the tips off .. very silly, and I always do it when i am using borrowed sharp implements!
Yes, I have a beautifully smooth and dainty 1″ scar on my left index where I dissected the fingertip lengthwise (fortunately with a very sharp and new blade) and reattached the flap with superglue. I actually learned the trick from real medical people–had heard that surgeons use superglue in certain applications where stitches would be inappropriate or impossible.
So I cleaned the wound, kept it under pressure until it stanched the bleeding and started to stick together a little, and glued the seam shut. Had to reapply only a few times over the next week or so as long as I kept from knocking the finger against stuff (I never notice how much I do that until it’s got an Owie! Finally had to put a dime-store splint on it for a couple of days). Anyway, worked like a charm. All of this, of course, only after I had had a good lie-down on the floor, gripping my finger and gritting my teeth, because I am after all the most wussy of all weenies. Still, it beats having to go to (and pay for) the emergency room.
wow. i am impressed.. sadly with one of these fingers i have shaved the pad of my finger right off. icky!.. c