comfort essentials: cheesy beef & hash brown bake

How To Make comfort essentials: cheesy beef & hash brown bake

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  Step 1
  PREP/PREPARE
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  Step 2
  Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
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  Step 3
  Add the ground beef to a skillet, over medium heat.
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  Step 4
  While the beef is cooking, break it up using a wooden spoon.
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  Step 5
  When the beef is cooked, remove from pan, and drain on paper towels.
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  Step 6
  Add the grapeseed oil to the pan, and then add the onions.
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  Step 7
  Cook until they soften, and begin to lightly brown, 3 – 5 minutes.
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  Step 8
  Remove from the pan, and add to the reserved ground beef.
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  Step 9
  Add the butter to the pan.
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  Step 10
  When the foaming subsides, add the flour, and stir to make a blonde roux.
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  Step 11
  Add the milk, and allow the mixture to simmer until it thickens, 3 – 5 minutes.
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  Step 12
  Chef’s Note: At this time, season the sauce with some salt, pepper, and cayenne, to taste.
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  Step 13
  Remove from the heat, and allow to cool for 20 minutes.
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  Step 14
  Place a rack in the upper-middle position, and preheat the oven to 350f (175c).
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  Step 15
  Return the reserved onions, and beef to the pan and stir to combine.
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  Step 16
  Add the hash browns, and incorporate them into the mixture.
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  Step 17
  Add the cheese and gently fold into the other ingredients.
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  Step 18
  Chef’s Note: The cheese is up to you… I use a combination of sharp white cheddar, and pepper jack… Have some fun with it.
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  Step 19
  OPTIONAL TOPPING
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  Step 20
  Combine the dry ingredients with the melted butter, and sprinkle over the top before baking… So yummy.
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  Step 21
  Chef’s Note: The topping gives the dish a little bit of a crunchy bite. Make the topping as spicy as you dare. In the colder months, I will add a bit of cayenne, white pepper, and even some red pepper flakes. In the warmer months, I have a tendency to be a bit more conservative. But that is just me.
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  Step 22
  BAKING THE DISH
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  Step 23
  You have several options here: 1. Rustic 1: Leave it in the skillet, and bake it. This makes it a truly one-dish recipe. Just make sure that your guests know that the pan is hot, hot, hot. 2. Rustic 2: You could use a glass baking dish, and bring it to the table. This method works well, when the skillet you used to cook the recipe is way too big. 3. Elegant: Serve it in individual ovenproof dishes. It is up to you… Chef’s prerogative.
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  Step 24
  Chef’s Tip: If you choose to serve it up in individual dishes, understand that you can freeze them, and when needed, defrost and bake.
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  Step 25
  Place into the preheated oven, and bake until the cheese is bubbly, and beginning to brown, 35 – 40 minutes.
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  Step 26
  PLATE/PRESENT
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  Step 27
  Let rest for a few minutes, and then serve it to your waiting guests. Enjoy.
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  Step 28
  Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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