Hatch chile potato casserole DSC0483

Hatch chile potato casserole: funeral food

“Pass the chicken, pass the pie. We sure eat good when someone dies. Funeral food, it’s so good for the soul. Funeral food, fills you up down to your toes.” —Kate Campbell

Funeral food was much on my mind last week as I returned to Texas to attend my grandma Ashner’s funeral.

She had been riddled with pancreatic cancer and when she was diagnosed last fall she was given five months to live. That she made it through 11 months was a gift and while I miss her, I know that she’s no longer feeling any pain.

Grandma Ashner, aka Grandma Fain or Grandma Texas, was my dad’s mother. She was a traditional Southern woman that despite her gentle, belle-like nature also had the strength to raise six children pretty much by herself in not the best of circumstances, with little complaint and much love. She was a passionate Aggie in a family of Longhorns and a staunch Democrat in a family where Republicans are the majority. She also had good Texan taste—adoring both the Dallas Cowboys and George Strait. And she made exceptional giblet gravy, which makes any other holiday condiment taste tepid and weak and wonderful chicken-fried steak, which of course makes all Texans smile.

Hatch chile potato casserole  | Homesick Texan

I like to say I get my sweet nature from my mother’s side of the family—where pies are a specialty—and my savory nature from my dad’s side of the family—where chili and Tex-Mex are more on offer. But this is an oversimplification as Grandma Ashner was as sweet as they come. She always had a smile on her face and called everyone either darlin’, sweetheart or precious. And when it was time to bid farewell, you couldn’t leave without her saying, “Sweetheart, give me some sugar!”

My dad’s side of the family is large. He and his five siblings have produced 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchilden. I hadn’t seen many of my relatives in far too long, my being all the way up here in New York City and all. And while I wasn’t happy that I was seeing them again under such sad circumstances, it was indeed wonderful to be reunited with such a loving and cool bunch of people.

After the funeral, we went over to my cousin’s house where there was a full spread of casseroles, cold cuts, dips, salads, cookies and cakes provided by friends of the family. We were starving and this was just what we needed—funeral food, easy and comforting.

As we stood talking in the kitchen about how we’re going to put together a family cookbook to honor both Grandma and our family’s love of cooking and good food, we nibbled on a potato casserole that none of us could stop eating. It was rich, thick and creamy, and while you were stuffed after one bite you couldn’t put down your fork. Heck, many of us even went back for seconds and even thirds. There were no complaints, however, as this is what we needed that day—simple food that didn’t require much thought, just pure, fulfilling pleasure.

Hatch chile potato casserole  | Homesick Texan

I have a recipe for potato casserole that may not be exactly what we ate, but it’s very similar. It’s not everyday fare as it’s heavy and not all that healthy. But that’s exactly what makes it perfect funeral food—for those times when you need something easy that can help fill the void caused by a loved one’s passing. And while it will be impossible to fill the void left by Grandma Ashner, for a moment at least, funeral food such as this potato casserole rose to the occasion and did its part.

Print
5 from 7 votes

Hatch chile potato casserole

Servings 8
Author Lisa Fain

Ingredients

  • 2 Hatch or Anaheim chiles
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into small dice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

  • Turn on the broiler and place a rack 5 inches away from heating element. Line a cast-iron skillet or baking sheet with foil and place the Hatch chiles on the skillet. Cook under the broiler for 7 minutes, and then remove the skillet from the oven. Turn over the Hatch chiles and continue to broil the chiles for 7 to 8 more minutes or until nicely charred. 

    After this time, remove the skillet from the oven. Place the chiles in a paper sack or plastic food-storage bag, close it tight and let the chiles steam for 20 minutes. After the chiles have steamed, remove from the bag and rub off the skin. Remove the stems and seeds from the chiles then dice.
  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • In a large cast-iron skillet set on medium-low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and then cook the onion until it starts to brown a bit, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 more seconds. Turn off the heat.
  • Add the diced potatoes, chiles,  garlic, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to the skillet and mix well with the onions and garlic.  
  • Pour the cream over the potatoes and cover the skillet with foil. Bake for 1 hour.
  • After an hour, remove the potatoes from the oven, and turn on the broiler. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into small pieces, and dot on top of the cooked potatoes. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2 minutes or until the butter has melted and potatoes are starting to brown on top.
  • Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes, then serve.

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Recipe Rating




82 Comments

  1. Anonymous says:

    My son and I prepared a double batch to serve alongside a BBQ'd rib roast, asparagus salad and spicy, stir fried green beans.
    3 of our guests requested a copy of your recipe – a sure fire sign of success

    Allen in El Lago

  2. Lee Beske says:

    Loved reading your story about your Grandma. Definitely see why you’re an award winning writer.
    I am lucky enough to personally relate, since I had the same. ( Only 100% Norwegian not Texan ). Substitute savory Texan food with Christmas Scandinavian Cookies, Lefse, Pea Soup and Lutefisk 😀
    Thanks for the early morning warm memories and smile

    1. Lisa Fain says:

      Thank you for the kind words, Lee! Love that your experience is similar, only with Norwegian cuisine. Food is clearly a universal language!

  3. Tricia Corey says:

    5 stars
    Every year that the Hatch Chilies are in season I make this casserole. It’s very delicious!

    1. Lisa Fain says:

      Tricia–I’m so glad it’s become an annual tradition for you! Enjoy this year’s crop of chiles!

  4. As another Texan in NY (about as far north as you can go) this potato recipe sounds wonderful. I also am an okra lover of all kinds. I grew up in New Mexico so love Hatch chilies too. I will definitely give these both a try.

    1. Lisa Fain says:

      Mary—-Thank you! Enjoy the casserole!