DUTCH LEEK CASSEROLE
(for cold evenings)

Serves 8:
Ingredients
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup milk
2 pounds leeks, chopped
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped green chile peppers
soy sauce to taste
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
6 ounces cooked ham, cut into thin strips

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.Soften the potatoes in the microwave. While that’s happening, sautee the leeks in a frying pan till soft. Then drain and place the leeks on a plate.
3.Sautee the meat with vegetables and soy sauce (using the same pan as you used for the leeks). While the meat is cooking and vegetables softening, you mash the potatoes with milk. Drain the sauteed meat and veg.
4.In a medium baking dish, mix the mashed potatoes, leeks, and ground beef mixture. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese, and top with ham.
5.Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until bubbly and lightly browned.