Funeral Potatoes

With garden fresh tomatoes and corn on the cob.

No, there wasn't a death in the family. I just really like "funeral potatoes." The name is unique to Utah. It came about with Mormon funerals. After the funeral, the family and friends of the decedent gather back at the Church for a dinner provided by the ladies of the congregation. The dinner usually consists of ham, funeral potatoes, a variety of salads, rolls, and cakes and cookies. Funeral potatoes are made of frozen diced hash brown potatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, and a sauce made with Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Chicken or Cream of Celery soup mixed with sour cream, butter, sometimes cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, salt and pepper, and are sometimes topped with crushed Corn Flakes, crackers, or bread crumbs. There are many variations on them, and as many ways of making them as there are people who make them. In other areas they are known as Cheesy Potatoes, Hash Brown Casserole, Heart Attack Potatoes, and Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole. At Cracker Barrel Restaurants in the US they are known as Hash Brown Casserole. They are saucy, cheesy and tangy, but not particularly the healthiest dish in the world.