Kentucky corned beef hash deluxe

EVERYBODY has their favorite way of preparing corned beef. And I am no different. This recipe is an excellent example of what just a few spices, a few veggies and a desire for something different can result in. My mother back in the countryside of Kentucky, USA (my home sweet home) came up with this recipe when our family was a bit on the poor side. My father was between jobs at the time and funds were scarce. Thus we had to make do with the few food items we could afford at the time. Mom reached back in the cabinet and pulled out a can of corned beef and proceeded to make what to this day is one my family's favorite entrees, Kentucky Corned Beef Hash Deluxe.

Ingredients:
1 16-oz. can of corned beef, any brand will do just fine
1 whole garlic, finely diced
onion, white or red, finely diced
1 small red bell pepper, I prefer red but you can use green, diced
1 tsp. seasoned salt, again, any brand will do just fine
2 small potatoes diced with skin on
3 tbsp. of olive oil
1 cup of water

Directions:
First finely dice your garlic and onion. Then dice your 2 small potatoes and red bell pepper into cubes. Combine these items into a preheated 10-12 in. skillet with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Your skillet should only be at medium heat. Stir the veggies until the garlic and onion begin to caramelize, that is to say until they turn a bit brown and sticky looking. This creates a blend of flavors that will enrich the corned beef.

Next add the 16oz. can of corned beef, 1 cup of water and 1tsp. of seasoned salt to the skillet of sauteed veggies. Stir all these ingredients together with a spatula until evenly mixed and cover the skillet and let cook, stirring occasionally, until the water cooks down completely. By now the potatoes should be thoroughly done. If not, add a little more water and let it cook down again.

Then after the potatoes are done, continue to cook until the corned beef turns a bit dark or even a little bit crusty. When this occurs your meal is finished and is ready to be served straight from the skillet!

This meal stirs memories of hard times and my mother's consistent efforts to never let us know we were poor...mothers are like that....

Delicious dining! *