DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m looking for an old recipe that a friend of my mother’s used to make. It was called Beef Steak Pie with Potato Crust. It had tender pieces of steak with sauce and scalloped potatoes. I tried to replicate it but something was missing. I remember that this recipe came from an old cookbook. Does anyone have this delicious recipe? I would love to make it. — Patty, no town

ANSWER: Here’s a recipe by that name that I have in an old Better Homes & Garden Cookbook from the 1960s and I really think this is the recipe you could be looking for. It is delicious and just the ticket for this cold, snowy weather we’ve been having. 

Beef Steak Pie with Potato Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut 1 pound of top round steak into 1-inch cubes and coat with flour. Heat 3 teaspoons of bacon fat or cooking oil in a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet and add the meat, cooking over medium heat until very brown, about 15 minutes per side. Slice one large onion and add it to the pan, cooking until golden, about 10 minutes. Place in a 2-quart baking dish. Combine 3 tablespoons of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt, and 1 teaspoon of dried thyme. Sprinkle over the meat. Pour 2 cups of water over top. (Do not stir.) Bake 45-60 minutes, until meat is tender. 

Remove meat from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees. Peel and thinly slice three large potatoes. Place the potato slices on top of the meat and sprinkle with salt to taste and a dash of paprika. Return to oven and bake another 30 minutes or until potatoes are browned and tender and the sauce is bubbly. Yield: 3-4 servings

This recipe reminds me of how yummy scalloped potatoes are. Does anyone make them anymore? This side dish goes very well with chicken, any kind of roasted meat, ham, or a meatloaf. I remember my mom used to make a big casserole dish of these potatoes and add any leftover ham. We even ate them with Spam added, and that was quite tasty also. 

Just a reminder that I really like it when readers share their recipes and I’m wondering what thrifty dishes you prepare for yourself and your families these days. I invite you to share! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to thank the Bates College students who shoveled my driveway and path for me the Tuesday after the storm. I usually have a person with a snowblower come but his machine was out of commission so he asked his grandson and friend to help me out. They would not accept any money and I even didn’t get a chance to thank them properly. I was impressed with how quickly they got the job done. — Evie, Lewiston

ANSWER: I’m so glad there was a backup plan for you and hopefully, your regular person is able to be back on the job soon! 

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