Russet potatoes, peeled and cut up, smothered with onion, smoked sausage and Rotel tomatoes and cooked in a rice cooker.

Rice Cooker Smothered Potatoes

Rice cookers may be a bit old school, but believe it or not, they're still a thing down here and for the most part, it's an appliance that is completely uncomplicated.

One simple "start" button is usually all there is to them!

You press it, it cooks your rice, kicks over to warm when your rice is done, and it actually holds the rice for a long time. As far as timing goes, it's really going to depend on your cooker, so holding on to that product manual is key to timing for the rest of your dinner.

Sliced potatoes are tossed with onion in seasoned flour, then fried in a bit of hot oil, covered and smothered with milk for a slow simmer. Simple, delicious comfort food.

Smothered Stewed Potatoes

This is one of my favorite potato side dishes, though I've also been known to make a pot just because I wanted some too!

It's very simple, classic country cooking - nothing particularly extraordinary about it or anything, but potatoes prepared this way are just so delicious and comforting. Simply sliced thin, then tossed with a tiny mixture of flour, salt and pepper, first cooked in a bit of hot oil and then covered in milk to low simmer until smothered down and tender.

They are as at home as a side dish with that nice Sunday pot roast, as they are with your everyday chicken, or if you're like me, as a meal all on their own.

Braun Bon Brown Good Smothered Potatoes

Seasoned potatoes, layered with onion and smoked sausage and slow simmered on the stovetop. Top layer of potatoes pictured.

Brown Good Smothered Potatoes

I feel so blessed to have so many of you email me with amazingly sweet notes, and often we correspond back and forth for no reason except just to chat. I am always humbled that you take the time from your busy date to write and it really means the world to me.

I am especially honored when you share your own treasured recipes - sometimes new things to try, sometimes new ways to try things. Nell, one of our readers from south Louisiana, is one such reader and she provided me with this wonderful recipe that I think you will really enjoy.