Hawaiian Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

I different twist on plain old Ham and Scalloped Potatoes.










20 oz crushed pineapple, drained well(2 cups fresh would be better, I couldnt find a decent one)
1 cup diced ham
4-6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
4-6 potatoes,sliced thin(I leave the skin, you can peel if you like)
1/2 cup sweet onion, chopped fine
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped

3 TB butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup flour OR 2 TB Potato Starch
2 cups milk
4 oz cream cheese, cubed
8 oz mozzarella, shredded
2 TB fresh chives, chopped
1/4 tsp liquid smoke
salt and pepper to taste

In a slow cooker layer potatoes, onion, green pepper, bacon, ham and drained pineapple. Toss gently.








Melt butter in a sauce pan, add garlic and cook until tender and fragrant.

If using flour add it straight to the butter mixture and stir until smooth, then add milk
If using potato starch first whisk it into the cold milk, then add to the garlic mixture
(Corn Starch is an ok substitute for potato starch but it doesnt hold up the thickness quite as well with the lengthy slow cooker cook time)

Cook over medium heat until thickened

Add cheeses and cook , stirring well until they are fully melted. Add Chives, liquid smoke, salt and pepper. Mix well








Pour Cheese mixture over the potato mixture. DO NOT STIR.

Cook on low 6-8 hours, high 4-6 until the potatoes are tender. Stir gently.







Scoop into a dish and top with a few fresh chives.