Creamed Peas and Potatoes

I love Creamed Peas and Potatoes... another comfort food. I tweak mine a bit, rather than just have plain white sauce on mine. Yum!! I love fresh garden produce!!

Di's Creamed Peas and Potatoes

4 medium-size red potatoes
about 2 cups fresh green peas
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup REAL bacon bits
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
1 cup grated cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Wash potatoes and cut into bite size pieces. Place in pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes until fork tender. Drain and set aside. Steam peas in another pot for 3 to 5 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
While peas and potatoes are cooking, in a medium size sauce pan melt butter. Then add onion and cook a few minutes until onion is translucent. Then add garlic and bacon bits to the pot and cook 1 minute more. Add flour and stir until smooth, let cook a minute more. Then whisk in milk, cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. When it's thickened like a sauce, remove from heat and stir in the 1 cup cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. 
Pour peas into pot with potatoes, then pour sauce over all, stir to combine.
Serve and enjoy!!!
--Remember you don't have to add the onion, garlic, bacon and cheese to the sauce. Most recipes just make it with a regular bechemel white sauce. But I like the extra flavor!! Yum!!!