Tag Archives: potatoes

Chili-Spiced Chicken Thighs and Potatoes

Uncategorized, , ,

Chicken thighs have plenty of flavorful juices and fat, but they don’t release them until the meat is almost done, which is far too late to be helpful in roasting your potatoes. To better utilize the fat from the chicken, trim the thighs well and roast the trim on its own to render its fat.

Meanwhile, slash the flesh side of the thighs and cover them with a simple spice mix, taking care to get the mixture deep into the slashes. To ensure that the potatoes absorb all the savory juices thrown off by the roasting chicken thighs, parboil the spuds with baking soda. Its alkalinity quickly breaks down the pectin in the exteriors.

After drying the potatoes briefly, stir them vigorously with the fat rendered from the chicken trim and some kosher salt. The salt roughed up the exteriors, creating plenty of entry points for the flavorful chicken juices to suffuse the spuds as they roasted. Starting the potatoes lower in the oven provides plenty of bottom heat to jump-start browning. After adding the chicken, move the sheet up in the oven where the plentiful top heat ensures that the chicken skin becomes crisp. Sliced scallion and a spritz of citrus provides fresh flavor that complements the richness of the potatoes and chicken.

Chicken thighs are very forgiving in terms of doneness, so don’t worry if yours are different sizes. Use Yukon Gold potatoes here, but you can substitute russets if that’s what you have on hand.

Chili-Spiced Chicken Thighs and Potatoes

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 3½ tsp. kosher salt, divided
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • ½ tsp. pepper
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 3 lbs. bone-in chicken thighs
  • 3 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • 1 scallion, sliced thin on bias
  • lime wedges

Directions

  1. Adjust oven racks to lowest and top positions and heat oven to 450 degrees. Combine 1½ teaspoons salt, chili powder, paprika, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne in small bowl. Bring 2 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven.
  2. Place 1 thigh skin side down on cutting board. Cut away any pockets of fat and any skin that extends beyond meat and reserve trim. Make three ½-inch-deep slits in flesh parallel to bone. Turn skin side up. Repeat with remaining thighs. Using tip of paring knife, poke skin of each thigh 8 to 10 times. Sprinkle 1½ teaspoons spice mixture evenly over skin of thighs. Turn thighs over and sprinkle remaining spice mixture over flesh side. Rub mixture into slits.
  3. Place 1 thigh skin side down on cutting board. Cut away any pockets of fat and any skin that extends beyond meat and reserve trim. Make three ½-inch-deep slits in flesh parallel to bone. Turn skin side up. Repeat with remaining thighs. Using tip of paring knife, poke skin of each thigh 8 to 10 times. Sprinkle 1½ teaspoons spice mixture evenly over skin of thighs. Turn thighs over and sprinkle remaining spice mixture over flesh side. Rub mixture into slits.
  4. Scatter trim over surface of rimmed baking sheet. Roast on lower rack until trim is mostly crisped and fat is rendered, 8 to 10 minutes. Discard trim and leave fat in baking sheet. While trim is rendering, add potatoes and baking soda to boiling water and return to boil. Boil for 2 minutes and drain well. Return potatoes to Dutch oven and place over low heat. Cook, shaking pot occasionally, until any surface moisture has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. Add rendered fat and remaining 2 teaspoons salt to potatoes and stir with rubber spatula until potatoes are coated with starchy paste, about 30 seconds. Transfer potatoes to now-empty sheet pan and spread into even layer. Roast on lower rack until undersides of potatoes are brown and crisp, about 15 minutes.
  6. Using thin metal spatula, flip potatoes. Push potatoes aside to clear 1 space for each thigh. Place thighs skin side up in cleared spaces. Roast on upper rack until chicken is browned and crisp and largest thigh registers at least 185 degrees, 25 to 30 minutes, rotating pan halfway through roasting.
  7. Transfer thighs to platter to rest. Stir potatoes to coat with any remaining liquid and spread over surface of baking sheet. Return pan to upper rack and roast until potatoes are mostly dry, about 5 minutes. Transfer to platter with chicken and sprinkle potatoes with scallion. Serve, passing lime wedges separately.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe by Andrea Geary for America’s Test Kitchen

Cheesy Hasselback Potato Gratin

Uncategorized, , ,

Looking for a side dish with a WOW factor? This golden and glorious mash-up of potato gratin and Hasselback potatoes, from the acclaimed food science writer J. Kenji López-Alt, has been engineered to give you both creamy potato and singed edge in each bite. The overall flavor is mild and therefore would go with about any entrée, be it chicken, steak, fish or pork.

The principal innovation here is placing the sliced potatoes in the casserole dish vertically, on their edges, rather than laying them flat as in a standard gratin, in order to get those crisp ridges on top. Allow extra time for the task of slicing the potatoes, for which it’s helpful to have a mandoline or food processor (though not necessary, strictly speaking). And do buy extra potatoes, just in case; you want to pack the potatoes tightly and keep them standing up straight.

NOTE: Because of variation in the shape of potatoes, the amount of potato that will fit into a single casserole dish varies. Longer, thinner potatoes will fill a dish more than shorter, rounder potatoes. When purchasing potatoes, buy a few extra in order to fill the dish if necessary. Depending on exact shape and size of potatoes and casserole dish, you may not need all of the cream mixture, although we used it all.

Cheesy Hasselback Potato Gratin

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 4 oz. finely grated Gruyère or comté cheese
  • 2 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, roughly chopped
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 4½ to 5 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and sliced ⅛-inch thick on a mandoline slicer (7 to 8 medium, see note above)
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Combine cheeses in a large bowl. Transfer ⅓ of cheese mixture to a separate bowl and set aside. Add cream, garlic and thyme to cheese mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Add potato slices and toss with your hands until every slice is coated with cream mixture, making sure to separate any slices that are sticking together to get the cream mixture in between them.
  3. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with one tablespoon of butter. Pick up a handful of potatoes, organizing them into a neat stack, and lay them in the casserole dish with their edges aligned vertically. Continue placing potatoes in the dish, working around the perimeter and into the center until all the potatoes have been added. The potatoes should be very tightly packed. If necessary, slice an additional potato, coat with cream mixture, and add to casserole. Pour the excess cream/cheese mixture evenly over the potatoes until the mixture comes halfway up the sides of the casserole. You may not need all the excess liquid.
  4. Cover dish tightly with foil and transfer to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Remove foil and continue baking until the top is pale golden brown, about 30 minutes longer. Carefully remove from oven, dot with remaining butter, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and return to oven.
  6. Bake until deep golden brown and crisp on top, about 30 minutes longer. Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes. Garnish with a few small stems of thyme and serve.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Slightly adapted from a recipe by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

Slow-Cooker Cauliflower, Potato and White Bean Soup

Uncategorized, , , ,

This is a wonderful cool weather soup recipe that warms you like a soft blanket. The Hubs made the “shortened” version using a pressure cooker which condensed the overall time down to 34 minutes (24 minutes on high pressure; + 10 minutes natural release).

This creamy vegetarian soup is built on humble winter staples, but the addition of sour cream and chives make it feel special. If feeling decadent, you may want to crumble a few sour-cream-and-onion chips on top to take the theme all of the way.

It takes just a few minutes to throw the ingredients into the slow cooker, and the rest of the recipe almost entirely hands-off, making it very doable on a weekday. Use an immersion blender, if you have one, to purée it to a silky smooth consistency, but a potato masher works well for a textured, chunky soup. Ours was somewhere in between, with a slightly textured finish.

Slow-Cooker Cauliflower, potato and White Bean Soup

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed, peeled and cut into 1- to 2-inch chunks
  • 1 lb. cauliflower, chopped into large bite-sized florets and stems
  • 2 15-oz. cans cannellini beans, drained
  • ½ yellow onion, minced
  • 3 garlic cloves, smashed and minced
  • 3½ cups vegetable stock
  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 Tbsp. dry white wine
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme or ½ tsp. dried thyme
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • Coarse kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice (about ¼ lemon)
  • 8 oz. sour cream (1 cup), at room temperature
  • ½ cup chopped chives (about 1 small bunch)
  • Potato chips, preferably sour cream and onion, for topping; optional
  • Shredded cheddar, for serving

Directions

  1. In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, combine the potatoes, cauliflower, beans, onion, garlic, vegetable stock, butter, wine, thyme, garlic powder and 1½ teaspoons kosher salt. Cover and cook until the vegetables are very tender, about 8 hours on low. (InstaPot: 24 minutes on high pressure; + 10 minutes natural release.)
  2. Remove and discard the thyme sprig, and turn off the slow cooker. Add the lemon juice. To make a completely smooth and creamy soup, purée the ingredients using an immersion blender. (Or, purée the soup in a blender in two batches, transferring the puréed soup to a different pot.) To make a textured, chunky soup, smash the ingredients using a potato masher in the slow cooker.
  3. Stir in the sour cream and chives. Taste and add additional salt if necessary. Serve in bowls topped with black pepper, crushed potato chips and shredded Cheddar.
  4. For leftovers, gently reheat the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave until it just barely bubbles around the edges; don’t let it boil or the sour cream will break.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe by Sarah DiGregorio for NYTimes Cooking

Mustardy Grilled Cabbage and Kielbasa

Uncategorized, , , , ,

Mustard and sausage lovers, this one’s for you. Smoky kielbasa and charred-but-still-crisp cabbage, all drizzled with a bright mustardy dressing, become a full, bulked-up meal thanks to seasoned small potatoes.

When wrapped in a foil packet, the potatoes become perfectly tender in just under half an hour on the grill, making them a simple addition to any dinner you’re already lighting a fire for. Don’t be shy about showering on dill at the end—the herb brings some welcome freshness to the plate.

In place of kielbasa, we used Butifarra which we had on hand. In order not to burn items to a crisp, if you have a hot grill like we do, keep it at medium heat. We also increased mayo-mustard mixture by 50%, and flipped the potato package halfway through grilling.

*In the end, the cabbage was still a bit tough. For a softer experience, quarter the head of cabbage thru core. Put the quarters in a bowl with some water, cover and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes to soften. Then, cut into wedges…

Mustardy Grilled Cabbage and Kielbasa

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • Vegetable oil (for grill)
  • 1 lb. small red potatoes, halved, quartered if larger
  • 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ tsp. smoked paprika
  • 4 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 3 Tbsp. whole grain mustard, divided
  • 1 small head of savoy cabbage, cut through core into 2”–3”-thick wedges (*see above head note)
  • 12-oz. kielbasa links, halved lengthwise
  • 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • Torn dill (for serving)

Directions

  1. Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; oil grate with vegetable oil. Combine 1 lb. small red potatoes, halved, quartered if larger, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. smoked paprika, and 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a medium bowl, season generously with freshly ground pepper, and toss to combine. Scrape out onto a large sheet of foil; reserve bowl. Bring foil edges together to make a packet; crimp to seal tightly. Place on grate; cook potatoes until tender, 25–28 minutes, turning halfway through.
  2. Whisk 1 Tbsp. mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp. whole grain mustard, and 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in reserved bowl to combine. (We suggest you increase this mixture by 50%) Rub mayonnaise mixture over 1 small head of savoy cabbage, cut through core into 2″–3″-thick wedges, working between leaves; reserve bowl. Grill cabbage, turning halfway through, until tender and both cut sides have deep brown marks, 7–9 minutes. Transfer to a platter.
  3. Grill kielbasa, turning halfway through, until charred in spots, about 10 minutes. Transfer to same platter.
  4. Whisk 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar, remaining 2 Tbsp. whole grain mustard, and remaining 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil in reserved bowl. Set dressing aside.
  5. Arrange potatoes on top of kielbasa and cabbage. Drizzle reserved dressing over. Scatter torn dill on top and season with more pepper.

To make without a grill: Preheat oven to 400°. Spread seasoned potatoes out on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet; roast until just tender enough to pierce with a knife, 25–30 minutes. Remove from oven. Heat broiler. Add dressed cabbage and kielbasa to baking sheet with potatoes; broil, turning halfway through, until cabbage is tender and charred in spots and kielbasa is browned, 10–14 minutes.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Kendra Vaculin for Bon Appétit

Gunpowder Potatoes

Uncategorized, , , , ,

Here, new potatoes are transformed into a culinary powerhouse with toasted spices, butter, cilantro and green chilies. Gunpowder potatoes are the ideal recipe: a bit of crunch, a touch of herbiness, a dash of tang and a pop of heat, all married to a foundation of creamy potatoes. My mouth waters just thinking about them.

The term “gunpowder” refers to a spice mix that has many variations. This version hails from Parsi cuisine and contains coarsely ground toasted cumin, coriander and fennel seeds with a finishing dusting of a “kabab masala,” which is made with fenugreek, chili powder, chaat masala and garam masala. Kind in mind, like much Indian food, the spices are bold.

Start by parcooking new potatoes with their skins on. Next, either grille or broil, then split them open. The potatoes are mixed with the gunpowder spice mixture, along with butter, spring onions, cilantro and green chilies. Finish them with lime juice, flaky salt and a teaspoon or two of the kabab masala, and serve them with a cooling yogurt raita.

For this adaptation, the ingredient list was pared down while maximizing flavor, and focusing on getting deeply browned, crusty potatoes without a grill. The crushed spices are cooked in butter to bloom their flavor and the parcooked potatoes are flattened before roasting them in a 500°F oven. And, in a nod to kabab masala, fenugreek is included, a touch that adds a distinctive maple-like flavor.

Our potatoes were on the larger size for this recipe (about the size of a lime), so they couldn’t be tossed in a bowl with the butter spice mixture. Instead, the baked potatoes were placed on a platter with the spiced butter poured over the top. Another addition would be to make the Raita as an accompaniment, recipe follows.

Gunpowder Potatoes

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 2 1⁄2 lbs. Yukon gold or red potatoes
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. grapeseed or other neutral oil
  • 2 jalapeños chillies, stemmed and thinly sliced into thin rings
  • 2 tsp. cumin seeds
  • 2 tsp. coriander seeds
  • 2 tsp. fennel seeds
  • 4 Tbsp. butter, cut into 4 pieces
  • 3⁄4 tsp. ground fenugreek
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1⁄4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 Tbsp. lime juice
  • Lime wedges and/or raita (recipe below) to serve

Directions

  1. In a large pot, combine the potatoes, 3 tablespoons salt, and 2 quarts water. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until a skewer inserted into the potatoes meets no resistance, about 25 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 500°F with a rack in the middle position.
  3. Drain the potatoes in a colander. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and toss with oil. Using the bottom of a dry measuring cup or ramekin, press down on each potato so it flattens slightly and splits open but remains intact.
  4. Roast, without stirring for 20 minutes, then sprinkle evenly with chiles. Continue to roast without stirring until the potatoes are crisp and well-browned, another 10 to 15 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, in a spice grinder, combine the cumin, coriander and fennel seeds; pulse until coarsely ground.
  6. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the ground seeds and fenugreek, and cook, swirling the pan, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes; set aside off heat.
  7. When the potatoes are done, use a wide metal spatula to transfer them to a large bowl. Add the spiced butter, and toss to coat.
  8. Fold in the scallions and cilantro; taste for salt and pepper; serve with lime wedges and/or raita.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Raita

Raiti

  • Servings: makes 1 cup
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 jalapeño chili (stemmed and minced)
  • 1 scallion (thinly sliced)
  • kosher salt and ground black pepper

Directions

In a small bowl, stir together whole-milk Greek yogurt, finely chopped fresh cilantro, lime juice, water, jalapeño chilis, scallions and kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipes from Milk Street

Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Uncategorized, ,

Looking for a swoon-worthy side dish? Crispy on the outside and soft in the center, these tubers are buttery, cheesy, herby and completely addictive. They also require only one pan, less than 10 ingredients, and just about an hour to make. You had me at potato…

According to the chef Robin Miller, Italian seasoning is a good medley of oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary. Add these herbs individually (about 1 teaspoon each) or substitute your favorites from the spice rack. Other options include adding garlic powder, or onion powder instead. Paprika would be a nice addition for folks who put paprika on everything. For a spicy version, add cayenne pepper or your favorite fiery spice blend.

Once your potatoes are halved, use a small, sharp knife to “score” the flesh, which just means to slice vertically and then horizontally, about ⅛-inch into the flesh, making a crosshatch pattern. This simple yet crucial step allows the butter, cheese and herbs to seep into the nooks and crannies, ensuring maximum flavor all the way to the center of the spud.

Since the main flavor of these crispy potatoes is Parmesan, choose a good-quality cheese. That doesn’t mean you need Italian cheese with a pricy label, any grated cheese made with real Parmesan will suffice.

Our only issue had to do with the amount of potatoes. The recipe called for 2 pounds, which would have been way too much for the pan. We found that 1 pound was the perfect quantity to fit our enameled cast iron pan (although we did not cut back on the remaining ingredients). We believe if you use a half-sized rimmed baking sheet, you should fit most of the halved two pound spuds and the other ingredients.

Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted
  • 1 ½ to 2 lbs. of small red and/or gold potatoes, washed and patted dry, scored
  • ½ cup plus 1 Tbsp. of grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1 ½ Tbsp. Italian herb seasoning
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Olive oil, for brushing the potatoes
  • Chopped fresh parsley or chives, optional for serving

Directions

  1. Place butter in a 13×9-inch baking pan. Place the pan in the oven and turn the oven on to 400 F to preheat. When the butter is bubbly, remove the pan and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, halve each potato and score the flesh by making a crosshatch pattern about ⅛-inch deep.
  3. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix well and to the pan. Mix with melted butter to form a paste and spread in an even layer on the bottom of the pan.
  4. Nestle the potatoes cut side down into the cheese and butter mixture. Brush the skins of the potatoes with olive oil, season with salt and black pepper and sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.
  5. Place the pan in the oven to bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender with a crispy crust.
  6. Remove potatoes from the pan and allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the cheese to set. Top with parsley or chives, if you like, and serve.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Paprika-Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Uncategorized, , ,

Paprika-Parmesan Smashed Potatoes with Garlic Aioli: the ultimate roasted potato side dish. Incredibly crispy, superbly spiced, and served with a downright addictive dipping sauce; although we opted to forego the aioli this time around.

The combination of bold spices and a garlicky dipping sauce really brings the humble potato to life. While this method involves boiling, smashing, and then roasting, you won’t believe how crispy the potatoes get for being roasted rather than deep-fried. Smashed potatoes are the perfect alternative when you’re craving crispy potatoes, but want something a bit more wholesome than French fries.

They paired beautifully with our Crispy Chicken Under a Brick, and a side of silky Braised Asparagus.

Paprika-Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1.5 lbs baby yellow potatoes
  • 2 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
  • 1 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil (sub avocado oil)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or avocado oil mayo)
  • 2 Tbsp. plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450ºF. Place garlic cloves in a piece of a foil and drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Wrap the garlic in foil and place in the oven while it preheats. Continue roasting garlic while you boil the potatoes.
  2. Place the potatoes in a large pot, and cover with one inch of cold water. Add 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, set the timer for 15 minutes. At this point, the potatoes should be just past fork-tender. Drain potatoes in a colander and let sit for 5 minutes to allow water to completely drain off. Remove garlic from the oven and set aside. (Keep oven temperature at 450ºF)
  3. In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, black pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; mix well. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil on your largest baking sheet, making sure to coat all corners. Arrange potatoes on baking sheet, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space in between each one.
  4. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or a potato masher to gently “smash” each potato down until it is around 1/2-inch thick. Brush remaining 2 tablespoons oil over tops of potatoes and sprinkle with spice mixture. Roast potatoes for 20 minutes.
  5. Remove garlic from foil and roughly chop. Use the flat side of your knife blade (preferably a chef’s knife) to mash the garlic until it forms a paste. Add garlic to a bowl, along with mayonnaise, yogurt, 1 tablespoon. chopped chives, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
  6. Remove potatoes from the oven and sprinkle each one evenly with Parmesan. Place back in the oven for 5 more minutes.Transfer potatoes to a platter and garnish with extra chopped chives. Serve with garlic aioli.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe found on dishingouthealth.com

Crispy Parmesan Potatoes

Uncategorized, , ,

Tasty spuds are always a welcome side dish at our table. Here, melted parmesan cheese takes these roasted potatoes to a whole new level. They’re foolproof and taste delicious with just about everything.

If there was such a thing as a Potato Olympics, these babies would be sure to medal. Just make them, you’ll be glad you did…

Crispy Parmesan Potatoes

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs. fingerling potatoes, about 30 potatoes
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 oz. Parmesan cheese, about 1 cup
  • 6 sprigs fresh parsley, stemmed and chopped; or minced chives

Directions

  1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Cut 1 1/2 pounds fingerling potatoes in half lengthwise. Place in a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss to combine. Arrange the potatoes in single layer cut-side down.
  3. Roast until the bottoms are starting to turn golden-brown, about 30 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, finely grate 2 ounces Parmesan cheese (about 1 lightly packed cup). Pick the leaves from 5 to 6 fresh parsley sprigs and finely chop until you have about 2 tablespoons.
  5. Carefully flip over each potato with tongs or a thin metal spatula so they are now cut-side up. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the potatoes. (It’s OK if some fall onto the pan.) Roast until the potatoes are cooked through and the cheese is crisp and golden-brown, about 10 minutes more. Sprinkle with the parsley or chives before serving.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe from TheKtchn.com

Spatchcock Chicken with Potatoes and Lemon

Uncategorized, , , , ,

A FOODGASM. That’s what The Hubs dubbed this dinner as we sucked the bones clean. “And in the blog, you can say that I said so.” So I took him up on his offer.

If roast chicken and potatoes are in your wheel house, then you must put this on your short list. The succulent poultry, mouth-watering potatoes, and variety of alliums, paired with herbs and seasonings all melded together into one harmonious orgy on the palette.

According to Spanish chef/author Mikel López Iturriaga, getting all the parts of a roasted chicken done just right is one of the greatest challenges of roasting poultry: when the thigh is cooked to temperature the breast is usually already dry, and if you remove the chicken from the oven earlier in order to keep the breast juicy, the thigh is still raw.

As Mikel claims, there are many tricks to overcome this dilemma, but the most effective has the name of a Lepidoptera, it’s called “butterflied chicken,” also known as spatchcock chicken. It’s about cutting the bird in such a way to leave it flattened. Not only does it have the advantage of bringing together cooking times for all of the parts, but it makes the cooking process much faster. In a half-hour, you can have it ready.

Now, as is our MO, we made a few changes. We added shallots in addition to the onions, increased the potato quotient, and didn’t remove garlic or potato skins. Count yourself lucky if you have leftovers. The most difficult part was waiting the extra 10 minutes for the bird to rest before carving and serving…

Spatchcock Chicken with Potatoes and Lemon

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken, (3 1/2 to 4 lbs.), spatchcocked
  • 7 oz. dry white wine, or dry vermouth
  • 2 medium onions, or combination of onions and shallots
  • 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 2 lemons, one cut in half horizontally and the other juiced
  • 1 head garlic, outer skin removed to reveal the cloves and cut in half horizontally
  • 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, each broken into 2 pieces
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme, each broken into 2 pieces
  • 2 bay leaves, broken into halves
  • 1 Tbsp. pimentón dulce, (sweet smoked paprika)
  • 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
  • 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt, to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
After cutting the chicken into pieces, make sure to pour the juices back over the vegetables.
Couldn’t wait to enjoy the leftovers!

Directions

  1. Heat the oven to 475 degrees.
  2. Cut the potatoes in half, and then cut each half into three wedges. Do the same with the onions. If using shallots, cut them in half from top to bottom. Place the vegetables in a baking or roasting pan with sides high enough to allow the chicken to be placed on a rack over top of the vegetables. Add the lemon and garlic halves, drizzle everything with olive oil, mix well, and place in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
  3. In a bowl, mix together 6 tablespoons of olive oil, the rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, pimentón, oregano, pepper, and a generous amount of salt. Cover the chicken well with a portion of this mixture reserving the remainder to pour over the vegetables.
  4. After the vegetables have been roasted for 15 minutes, remove them from the oven and pour the remaining marinade, lemon juice, and wine or vermouth over them. Place a rack over the top of the roasting pan and place the chicken on it, skin side up. Return the roasting pan to the oven.
  5. After 15 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 400 degrees and continue roasting for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken skin is golden and juices run clear. After removing the roasting pan from the oven, allow everything to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe from Mikel López Iturriaga for El Pais

Lemon-Rosemary Melting Potatoes

Uncategorized, , , ,

“These full-flavored potatoes are a great new approach to your typical potato side dish. The potatoes roast, then “melt” with the flavors of lemon, rosemary and garlic. They’re good enough for a special occasion, but easy enough for a weeknight.”
—EatingWell

We paired our potatoes with a sous vide, pan-seared steak and spinach sautéed with garlic and olive oil.

The original recipe indicates the potatoes will serve six. They were so good, we barely got three portions from them, so I would plan on a maximum of four servings.

A word to the wise, DO NOT use glass or stone bakeware. When it’s time to add the broth and lemon, even though the liquids are room temperature, there’s a high likelihood the very hot dish will crack, trust us on this one. Either a metal pan or enameled cast-iron one are good choices. Ideally, the pan should have a wide enough bottom to accommodate the potato slices arranged in a single layer.

Lemon-Rosemary Melting Potatoes

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced 1 inch thick 
  • 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish
  • ¾ tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. ground pepper
  • ¾ cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • ¼ cup lemon juice 
  • 2 Tbsp. sliced garlic

Directions

  1. Position rack in upper third of the oven; preheat to 500 degrees F.
  2. Toss potatoes, butter, oil, rosemary, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch metal baking pan. (Don’t use a glass dish, which could shatter.) Roast, turning once, until browned, about 30 minutes.
  3. Carefully add broth, lemon juice and garlic to the pan. Continue roasting until most of the liquid is absorbed and the potatoes are very tender, 10 to 12 minutes more.
  4. Garnish with additional rosemary.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe from EatingWell Magazine

Lebanese Baked Kafta with Potatoes and Tomatoes

Uncategorized, , , ,

“It’s easy to see why kafta bil sanieh, a casserole, if you will, of sliced potatoes, rounds of tomatoes and flavorful kafta (seasoned meatballs or meat patties), is Lebanese comfort food. The ingredients are shingled into a baking dish and baked until the flavors meld and the textures become deliciously succulent and tender.”

This Milk Street rendition, based on a recipe from “The Palestinian Table” by Reem Kassis, starts with a simple no-cook tomato sauce in the bottom of the baking dish, where juices collect during baking and form a delicious sauce. To ensure the potatoes cook evenly and thoroughly, precook them by roasting them for about 10-15 minutes, enough time to begin making the kafta. If you are squeamish about lamb, use 80 percent lean ground beef instead. You can serve it with rice pilaf, but we did not.

I doubled the garlic, putting half of it in the meat mixture, the other half in the tomato sauce. To press the meat balls into 1/4″ thick discs, I used a flat-bottomed glass that was dipped into cool water between each smashing. Then I put the entire tray into the freezer for 10-15 minutes to firm up while the potatoes cooled. This made it easier for assembly.

Speaking of assembly, it helps to start with uniform sizes for the potatoes, tomatoes and peppers. In the end, there was not enough ingredients to make 3 full rows from front to back in the baking dish, but any left over slices of veggies were just positioned in the back. Unable to buy a small can of crushed tomatoes, we chose whole peeled tomatoes and crushed them with an immersion blender.

Lebanese Baked Kafta with Potatoes and Tomatoes

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, not peeled, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
  • 2 Tbsp. plus ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. ground lamb or 80 percent lean ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, halved and grated on the large holes of a box grater
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/2 tsp. ground allspice
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 14 ½ oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 4 medium garlic cloves, minced, divided
  • 1 lb. plum tomatoes, cored and sliced into ¼-inch rounds
  • 2 small green bell peppers or Anaheim chili, stemmed, seeded and sliced into thin rings

Directions

  1. Heat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the middle position.
  2. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the potatoes with 1 tablespoon of oil and ¼ teaspoon salt. Distribute in a single layer and roast without stirring just until a skewer inserted into the potatoes meets no resistance, 10 to 13 minutes (ours took 16 min). Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly. Leave the oven on.
  3. While the potatoes cook, line a second baking sheet with kitchen parchment. In a medium bowl, combine the lamb, onion, half the minced garlic, parsley, allspice, cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Using your hands, mix gently until just combined; do not over-mix.
  4. Divide the mixture into about 20 golf ball-size portions (1½ to 1¾ inches in diameter) and place on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball into a patty about 2½ inches wide and ¼ inch thick (it’s fine the patties are not perfectly round); set aside until ready to assemble.
  5. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine the crushed tomatoes, garlic, the ¼ cup oil, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir well, then distribute in an even layer.
  6. Shingle the potatoes, tomato slices, green pepper rings and meat patties in 3 or 4 rows down the length of the baking dish, alternating the ingredients. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with pepper.
  7. Bake, uncovered, until the kafta and potatoes are browned and the juices are bubbling, 25 to 35 minutes. Cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Courtney Hill for Milk Street

Portuguese Wine-Braised Potatoes with Garlic, Bay and Chilies

Uncategorized, ,

Salivating for some fabulous potatoes with a lot of flavor? Look no further than these Portuguese Wine-Braised Potatoes with Garlic, Bay and Chilies that we first spotted in a recent issue of Milk Street magazine. Paired with another of their recipes of Madeiran Pork with Wine and Garlic, and some Fresh Peas with Lemon & Chives, it was a dinner to remember!

The traditional way of cooking potatoes with these classic Portuguese flavors is to slow-roast them in the oven or long-braise them on the stovetop alongside meat. But in “Authentic Portuguese Cooking,” author Ana Patuleia Ortins includes a quicker, meat-free version that yields a wonderfully delicious side.

Milk Street adapted her recipe, opting to use a mixture of wine and chicken broth for simmering (wine alone tends to toughen the exteriors of the potatoes) and substituting jarred crushed peppers—the type often smeared onto Italian hoagies—for the spicy Portuguese red pepper paste called massa de malagueta. If you cannot find crushed peppers, simply use ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes instead.

In Portugal it’s known as “batatas cozidas em vinho e alhos” and varies by region and family, but the heart of the recipe is consistent: potatoes, onions, garlic and olive oil. First the onions and garlic are cooked until jammy-sweet, then the potatoes are added and simmered in white wine to add wonderful acidity to balance the starchiness.

“The thing that people don’t understand about Portuguese cooking is that it’s flexible. The way they say it, it’s ‘com gusto.’ It’s how you like it.”

Patuleia Ortins

We knew it was going to be a winner so we increased the recipe by 50% right off the bat. And although the directions indicate it takes about 30 minutes for the potatoes to meet no resistance when pierced with a knife, ours took an additional 20 minutes—therefore be prepared to add extra time if needed.

Tip: Don’t stir the potatoes too vigorously or they’ll break apart and make the sauce gluey. Aim to keep the large pieces of potato as whole as possible. Also, don’t reduce the sauce too far; as the potatoes sit off heat, they’ll continue to absorb the sauce.

Portuguese Wine-Braised Potatoes with Garlic, Bay and Chilies

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. Yukon Gold or red potatoes, peeled and cut into 1- to 1½-inch chunks
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1½ tsp. jarred crushed peppers or ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1¼ tsp. smoked paprika
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • ¾ cup dry white wine
  • ¾ cup chicken broth, preferably homemade
  • ¼ cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, toss the potatoes with the garlic, bay, crushed peppers, paprika, ¼ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
  2. In a large saucepan over medium, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the onion and ½ teaspoon salt, then cook, stirring occasionally, until fully softened, 7 to 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in the potato mixture, then add the wine and broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high, then cover, reduce to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until a skewer inserted into the potatoes meets no resistance, about 30 minutes.
  4. Uncover and cook over medium, now stirring more often and adjusting the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, until the liquid has thickened and lightly coats the potatoes, about 7 minutes.
  5. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand for about 5 minutes. Remove and discard the bay and stir in the parsley. Taste and season with salt and black pepper.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from recipe by Courtney Hill for Milk Street

Roasted Mediterranean Potatoes

Uncategorized, , ,

We were Going to the Greek for dinner one Sunday evening when son David, and his lovely Greek girlfriend Vyktorya (Vikki) were paying a visit. It’s always a little tricky with Vikki (rhyme intended) who was a staunch vegan for quite some, but now does eat meat on occasion. Lucky for us lamb is one she enjoys. (Something to do with the Greek ancestry perhaps?)

Once we settled on the entrée, we had to come up with sides that would complement the Greek flavors of the lamb marinade. Potatoes were kind of a no-brainer, and Russ quickly settled on these Best Roasted Greek Potatoes that he found themediterraneandish.com website.

To achieve just the right texture, first the potatoes are baked covered for 40 minutes or so in plenty of liquid—olive oil, lemon juice, and broth. As they are covered, the potatoes tenderize as they absorb steam and take in the perfectly flavored liquid.

A little secret ingredient here is a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese
added midway through baking.

Roasted Mediterranean Potatoes

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp. seasoned salt
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tsp. sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp. rosemary
  • 4 large baking potatoes, peeled, washed, cut into wedges
  • 8 large garlic cloves, chopped
  • 4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juice of
  • 1 ¼ cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup parsley leaves, roughly chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together spices. Set aside.
  3. Place potato wedges in a large lightly-oiled baking dish and sprinkle with the spice  mix. Toss potatoes together briefly to evenly distribute spices.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together chopped garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and broth. Pour into baking dish with potatoes.
  5. Cover the baking dish with foil and place in the 400 degree F-heated oven for 40 minutes.
  6. Remove from oven briefly. Uncover and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on the potato wedges. Return to oven uncovered to roast for another 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are cooked through and have turned a nice golden brown with a little crust forming.
  7. To add more color, place the dish under the broiler for 3 minutes or so, watching carefully.
  8. Remove from oven. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Rounding out the Greek-themed dinner were grilled loin lamb chops with a garlic-oregano paste, and sautéed green beans and grape tomatoes with crumbled feta.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe found on http://www.themediterraneandish.com