CHEESY SCALLOPED POTATOES WITH BACON IN THE SMOKER

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the smoker to 250f (121c).
• 2. Gather your ingredients.
• 3. Finely chop the onion, and mince the garlic.
• 4. Place a skillet over medium heat, and add the bacon.
• 5. Cook the bacon until lightly browned.
• 6. Remove bacon from pan, drain on paper towels, and reserve.
• 7. Chef's Note: Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease.
• 8. Slice the potatoes about 1/8 inch thick.
• 9. Add the butter to a saucepan, over medium heat.
• 10. When the foaming subsides, add the onion and garlic.
• 11. Stir until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
• 12. Add the flour, and continue to cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes.
• 13. Chef's Tip: This additional cooking will help to cook the "flour" taste out of the roux.
• 14. When your spoon can trace a path in the pan, the roux is ready.
• 15. Add the milk, and continue to stir over medium low heat.
• 16. As the mixture begins to thicken, add a bit of salt and pepper, to taste.
• 17. Chef's Tip: Remember good cooks season as they work.
• 18. When the sauce has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and reserve.
• 19. Chef's Note: Congratulations, you've just made a basic white sauce.
• 20. Mix the two cheeses together
• 21. Use a bit of bacon grease to coat the cast iron skillets, or similar containers.
• 22. Chefs Note: My cast-iron skillet's are 6 inches across. You don't have to use cast-iron, of course. And, you could even do a larger container and make one instead of two. It's totally up to you.
• 23. Add a generous layer of sliced potatoes.
• 24. Cover with about two tablespoons of the white sauce.
• 25. Add on some salt and pepper.
• 26. Add on some bacon.
• 27. Add on some cheese.
• 28. Repeat the layering process: Potatoes White sauce Salt/Pepper Bacon Cheese By the time you reach the top of the skillet, you should have about four layers.
• 29. Place in the smoker.
• 30. Add your favorite wood chips (mine were apple wood). And let the smoke do it's magic.
• 31. Cook until the top is brown and bubbly, about 1.5 - 2 hours.
• 32. Go rustic and serve to your guests directly out of the skillet... along with your favorite protein. Enjoy.
• 33. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.