Easy sides – more potatoes!

AKA Potatopalooza #3

The potato puffs looks tricky, but it really isn’t. It’s boiled, mashed potatoes, mix in flour, milk, eggs, shove it into a bag, squeeze some out onto parchment paper, fry it. It really is that easy, just a little time-consuming.

Melting Potatoes

Course Side Dish

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 2 tsb fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 lbs Yukon gold, sliced 1" thick
  • 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 4 cloves smashed garlic
  • 1.5 tsp Salt & fresh cracked black pepper to taste ( see below )

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 475F
  • Melt the butter, rosemary and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Yes you have my permission to microwave in 30-second intervals until the butter is melted.
  • Add the potatoes, salt and a generous amount of pepper and toss together.
  • Place potatoes in a single layer on a 9x13 metal baking dish (not glass).
  •  Bake until the potatoes are a deep golden brown on the bottom, about 15 minutes.
  • Flip and continue to bake until a deep golden brown on the second side, another 15 minutes.
  • Add the chicken broth and garlic and continue to bake until the potatoes are soft and the liquid is almost completely reduced, about 15 minutes more.
  • Transfer to serving tray and enjoy!

Notes

If using salted butter, cut 1/4 tsp from the recipe.

Potato puffs

Course Side Dish

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound russet potatoes, peeled (typically 1 large)
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter ( salted also works )
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 eggs 1 whole egg + 3 yolks
  • 6-8 cups vegetable oil for frying

Instructions
 

  • Put the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water; season with salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook until fork-tender, about 20 minutes; drain.
  • Pass the potatoes through a ricer into a large bowl or mash with a potato masher until smooth.
  • Combine the milk, butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Remove from the heat, add the flour and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until incorporated.
  • Return the saucepan to the stove and cook over low heat, stirring, until the mixture comes together and pulls away from the side of the pan, about 1 minute.
  • Continue stirring until the mixture is slightly shiny, about 4 more minutes.
  • Transfer the mixture to a stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed, about 1 minute.
  • Add half of the mashed potatoes and the whole egg and beat until incorporated.
  • Add the remaining potatoes and the egg yolks and beat until creamy and smooth, about 1 more minute.
  • Transfer the mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip.
  • Set a large piece of parchment paper on a cutting board. Pipe about 24 mounds (1 to 1 1/2 inches each) of the potato mixture on the parchment.
  • Cut the parchment between the mounds with a paring knife so each puff sits on its own piece of paper.
  • Heat 2 inches of oil in a large pot until a deep-fry thermometer registers 325 degrees F.
  • Working in batches, carefully invert each puff into the oil, leaving it on the parchment. The parchment will fall off as the puffs cook; remove with tongs.
  • Fry until golden, turning as needed, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; season with salt.

Notes

If you don't have a piping bag, a ziploc bag works great.

a bit about potatoes ..

Red are good for

  • Soups containing potatoes
  • Potato salad
  • Stews
  • Curry
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Crispy roasted potatoes
  • Scalloped potatoes

Russet are good for

  • Baked potato
  • Tater tots
  • Hash browns
  • Mashed potatoes
  • French fries

Yukon Gold are good for

  • Soups containing potatoes
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Baked potatoes
  • Crispy roasted potatoes
  • Scalloped potatoes