Let’s journey back to the old time dinner party where the hostess had seen that episode of Julia Childs where she made potatoes au gratin. Of course in my house that came in a box with Betty Crocker on it. So I have done my best to recreate a more classic version with some upgrades. First Pinconning cheese is the base flavor, potatoes as the backbone, smoked bacon and just enough hot sauce to tie it all together. So put on the plaid bell bottoms pour the cocktails and be ready to have jello 1-2-3 for dessert. I hope you like it.

6 medium red potatoes cut in 1/4” slices
1 sweet onion cut in 1/4 inch rings
Salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cup Pinconning sharp cheese
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon hot sauce
Topping
1 cup French fried onions
1 cup Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 350.

In a large sauce pan on medium heat add butter and melt. Add flour and stirring constantly cook for 5 minutes.

Add milk bring to a simmer.

Add mustard, nutmeg, salt, pepper and Old Bay.

Slowly add cheese until all used. Sauce will thicken. Add hot sauce taste and add more hot sauce.

In a baking dish add a layer of potatoes overlapping part of each potato.

Add layer of fresh onion rings.

Add cheese sauce top with layer of potatoes and onion rings.

Top with cheese sauce.

Bake for 90 minutes at 350 degrees.

Remove from oven top with Parmesan cheese and fried onion mix.

Heat oven to 400 add potatoes back to oven for 20-25 minutes until top becomes crispy.

Let sit for 10 minutes for cheese to set.

Serve.