Easy Farm Style Potatoes O’Brien

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I make a huge batch of these Farm Style Potatoes about twice a month and add it into our breakfasts every morning. I had the idea when I saw a bag in the frozen section called Potatoes O’Brien and I thought, well, I can make that myself!

Somehow, I never heard of this dish until now. Apparently it has a long history and is extremely popular. Legend has it that a restaurant owner back in the 1900s called Beefstew O’Brien decided to add some color to his potatoes. Now he officially gets the credit for inventing this particular combination.

Sauteed farm style potatoes, onions and bell peppers in a metal dish on a blue and white checkered table

I’m fairly certain that long before O’Brien opened his restaurant, a woman on a budget with 15 children to feed originally concocted Farm Style Potatoes. Of course, we have never heard of her, because no one recorded the momentous occasion. It was just breakfast after all, right?

Anyway, I’ll get down off my soapbox for now.

Obviously, as evidenced by the availability in the frozen section, this dish does well frozen. If you want to chop it all up and freeze it raw for cooking later, be my guest.

Personally, I chop it all up one day, cook it up the next and then we eat it every morning until its gone.

It should be noted that the potatoes can take a while to cook, so I tend to chop them very small and add a little water at times to hurry along the process. The steam helps cook them through while cooking them on medium in the skillet ensures nice crispy sides.

If you have a few bucks to spare, I highly recommend a chopper, like the “>RüK Vegetable Chopper that I have. This saves me 90% of the time I usually spend wielding sharp knives while my toddler is scaling the walls.

Sauteed farm style potatoes, onions and bell peppers in a metal dish on a blue and white checkered table

Farm Style Potatoes

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 Large Potatoes
  • 1 Bell Pepper
  • 1 Onion
  • 2 T. Italian Seasoning
  • 1 t. Himalayan Sea Salt
  • 3 T. Olive Oil

Instructions

  1. Chop potatoes, peppers and onions.
  2. Heat oil, salt and Italian seasoning in large skillet on medium high.
  3. Add potatoes and cook until soft, ‘shoveling’ them occasionally with a metal spatula to keep them from sticking.
  4. Add peppers and onions and sauté until cooked to desired tenderness or crispness.

Notes

  • This can be made ahead of time and heated up for breakfast each morning.
  • I serve this to the small one with scrambled eggs or just by itself!
  • Keeps up to 5 days in refrigerator.
  • You can add pretty much anything to this 'hash' and it will be delicious. Do you have random vegetables that need to be used up? Would you like to spice it up with some sausage or bacon?
  • This also works great as a side dish!
  • Breakfast Recipes for Teething Toddlers

    These easy breakfasts keep my teething baby boy munching even through molar season. If we can at least eliminate the hangry issue, that’s one less thing for him to be upset about, right?

    Do you also have a small one who is having a hard time with life and struggling to enjoy eating? Here is what I found works for our teething baby!

    teething baby smiling at the camera

    See? Bubba approves.

    I keep some of these breakfasts ready-made by batching one each week and it gives me a small break on the tough days.

    Now I have that brief moment in the mornings to have my coffee in peace while he chews…before the day begins.

    As one of the many in our generation who is finding there is a dearth of ‘village’, I have learned to have my own back when it comes to meals. Also, I realized that technology can be a resource if used wisely.

    My sanity is being preserved by small segments of Trash Truck and Blueberry Muffins today.

    #1. Whole Wheat Blueberry Pancakes

    Pancakes are my first choice on days that I have limited time, but need to get something made for snacks and breakfast the next day.

    The beauty of these is that they are whole wheat, just sweet enough that you don’t feel the need for syrup or honey and you can add as many different fruits or berries as you like to boost nutrition!

    My poor teething toddler struggles to eat whole blueberries, or raw berries of any kind right now, so I cut each berry into quarters and sprinkle a few pieces on top of each pancake as it cooks.

    By the time the pancake is cooked, the little berry pieces have also softened and are that much easier to chew. This also allows me to change up the berries if he’s not feeling ‘blue’, or stick with a plain pancake in a pinch.

    With a little bit of butter, or just as they are, these little cakes are a win-win for baby and mama!

    Cinnamon streusel topped oatmeal muffins on blue and red striped platter

    #2. Cinnamon Streusel Oat Muffins

    If your little one is needing a bit more spice in their life, these muffins are sure to do the trick.

    While the cinnamon streusel topping makes these seem like dessert, the oatmeal ensures that even a ravenous toddler will be satisfied for a couple of hours!

    Freshly baked loaf of banana bread

    #3. Banana Bread

    When my son first started eating solids, he would not eat bananas at all. He still seems weirded out by the texture of the raw variety, but when it comes to this delicious quick-bread, he’s a huge fan.

    Oatmeal Pudding

    #4. Dairy Free Oatmeal Pudding

    Believe it or not, I never actually fed my son baby cereal.

    The gluey consistency was not a huge selling point for either of us. So I started just making regular oatmeal, simmered over medium until it became a silky smooth porridge that didn’t even need milk.

    With a spoonful of honey or sugar, a pinch of salt and perhaps a sprinkle of cinnamon, this go-to breakfast is perfect for those days when chewing anything is out of the question.

    (The cranberries were added for color and because it’s how I serve it to my partner, but clearly the little one isn’t eating those.)

    Potato, pepper and onion breakfast hash in small metal pot on tiled table background

    #5. Farmstyle Potatoes

    There are always those days when our babies are excited about little nuggets of vegetable goodness, and this is my favorite way to circumvent the French fry request.

    waffles with berries on white ceramic plate

    #6. Whole Wheat Buttermilk Waffles

    My son loves to help me cook, especially when there are exciting appliances involved, like the waffle maker. Not only do we stay busy making a batch, they keep wonderfully in the freezer and are easily popped in the toaster for quick breakfasts or snacks.

    potato, egg and cheese omelette with green onion garnish

    #7. Potato Omelette

    I made a gorgeous potato omelette yesterday that was extremely photogenic and didn’t look nearly as drowned in cheese as this one. As luck would have it, we ate it before I thought about taking a picture.

    That’s exactly how delicious this breakfast is. It takes a little bit of patience, and my son is frustrated that it does not need to be constantly stirred, but he loves the final result.

    #8. Amish Baked Oatmeal

    This cereal has many childhood memories for me. It was a fun way to consume oatmeal that seemed almost like a dessert.

    Because it has so few ingredients, this is a breeze to whip up even on a tough day. My little one loves helping me mix! For ease of serving, I cook this in muffin form now.

    freshly baked bran muffin in pan

    #9. Old Fashioned Bran Muffins

    This recipe is another one I grew up loving, and I’m so glad my mom still had it stashed away after all these years. I love the hint of richness provided by the molasses.

    You can add berries, raisins and just about anything else you please to this recipe. It’s extremely versatile and just as delicious plain as it is with added ingredients. Also, if you have sour milk to use up, this is the perfect way to do it!

    This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it does include most of my son’s favorite options.

    photo of a hand holding out a steaming cup

    I hope this post was able to help you simplify your mornings a little bit and give yourself a few more momma moments to breathe.

    Have a great week, my friends!

    Roast Beast

    I know, by now you’re saying to yourself, “Does this woman use her oven to cook everything?!” Yes. The answer is yes.

    Keep in mind that this will take several hours to cook. I like my meals to either require effort or take time, but never both. This one takes time, but requires no effort.

    Preheat oven to 275*.

    Obtain & place in large skillet:

    1 Chuck Roast (or whatever is the cheapest chunk of meat you can find that is generally super tough)

    Season generously on both sides with:

    3 – 4 T. Montreal Steak Seasoning

    2 – 3 T. Worcestershire Sauce

    Sprinkle on top:

    5 Sprigs Rosemary

    5 Sprigs Thyme

    Cut into quarters & scatter on top of roast:

    6 Garlic Cloves

    Cook in oven, uncovered, for 3 hours.

    If you are making Yorkshire Puddings as a side, I would recommend starting the batter now.

    Cut into wedges or large chunks:

    2 Onions

    8 Red/Gold Potatoes or 4 Russet Potatoes

    10 Thin or 5 Large Carrots

    10 Branches or 1 Stalk Celery

    Arrange vegetables around roast.

    Combine & pour over everything:

    3 c. Water

    2 Beef Bouillon Cubes or 2 t. Beef Broth Base

    2 T. Cornstarch

    Cover with foil.

    Cook, covered, for 4 – 5 more hours.

    This can be a meal all by itself with the potatoes & carrots; but if you have a very hungry family like I do, you can stretch things by adding Rice, Yorkshire Puddings, Brussel Sprouts, Green Beans or several other sides into the mix.

    Delicious Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions

    white plate showcasing ribeye steaks smothered in mushrooms and onions served with sour cream mashed potatoes and oven roasted broccoli

    Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 6 – 8 Potatoes (I peel mine only if they have super tough Idaho-ish skins.)
    • 1/4 c. Potato Water
    • 1/4 c. Butter (any kind)
    • 1 – 2 t. Salt/Garlic Salt/Lawry’s Salt
    • 1/4 c. Milk (any kind)
    • 1/4 c. Sour Cream (optional, but makes all the difference!)

    Instructions

    1. Peel potatoes if desired.
    2. Boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water until soft.
    3. Reserve 1/4 c. of the water the potatoes were boiled in.
    4. Drain the remaining water.
    5. Add reserved water and butter to the potatoes.
    6. Mash the potatoes well.
    7. Mix in the salt, milk and sour cream.

    Notes

      • If you measure potatoes in pounds, this is the equivalent of a 3 lb bag
      • I like to use my mixer do the work with a whip attachment.
      • Don't have a potato masher or mixer? A sturdy wire whisk is an effective tool as well!

    Garnish with fresh Green Onions, Garlic Shoots or Chives

    Roasted Potato Wedges

    When it comes to what herbs go with potatoes, you can never go wrong with rosemary. These are quick, easy and go with just about anything.

    Preheat oven to 350*.

    Cut into wedges:

    10 Red or Gold Potatoes (If you have Idaho and the skins are thick you might want to peel them.)

    Dump into a large bowl.

    Add:

    2 T. Oil (I suggest olive or avocado, but anything works.)

    Toss potatoes with the oil until coated.

    Add:

    2 t. Salt (You can use Garlic Salt, Lawry’s, whatever you please.)

    1 t. Pepper

    Toss to coat potatoes.

    Spread on baking sheet or in large iron skillet. Scatter generously with:

    2 Sprigs Rosemary (You can remove the leaves but I just throw the whole thing on, maybe torn in half to release aroma.)

    4 Sprigs Thyme (Same here. Who wants to peel off tiny Thyme leaves?)

    Bake until potatoes are fork-tender.

    I have no idea how long this is. I’ll update you if I ever remember to look.