the sprint marathon
It’s coming down to the wire over here. I have three days to finish (well, start) my holiday baking. You might think that I should have a lot of extra time since there’s very very very little snow to ski in these parts, but there were these flannel rag quilts I was sewing… nine flannel rag quilts. That took a big chunk of the last two weeks. I should clarify that while I haven’t begun my holiday baking, I have most of my holiday candymaking completed. Variety is the spice of life and all that good stuff.
Life is a bit of a frenzy right now, but I did take a few hours off recently to see a rare visitor to Colorado. Deb, of Smitten Kitchen (my favorite food blog), came through Boulder last week on her book tour. While I couldn’t make the actual event, we were able to finally meet in person over some noshes before her book signing.
such a lovely woman
flannel rag quilts in progress
candied orange peels and chocolate caramels
Despite being up to my armpits in chocolate, butter, sugar, cream, and flour, my mind has actually been puzzling over our upcoming holiday menu. Typically we ski our brains out on Christmas morning and I’m too wiped out to prepare anything more than a simple (but delicious) meal. Looking at the short-term forecast, our brains may very well remain securely in our heads due to the lack of snow. Even so, I still don’t want to spend a ton of time cooking. I know Jeremy would be delighted with a sous vide steak, some potatoes, and lots of greens. We have a new favorite way to enjoy roasted potatoes, too.
yukon gold potatoes, duck fat, baking soda, salt, garlic, parsley, black pepper
It’s unclear to me how I found Kenji’s recipe or who turned me on to it (it may have been Kenji’s Instagram), but when I see the words “Best Roast Potatoes” coming from a trusted source, the logical next step is to try it out. I’ve made the potatoes a couple of times now – the first time with olive oil and the second time with duck fat. The olive oil version was good, but holy moly the duck fat version is the stuff of dreams. Kenji’s technique basically parboils potatoes in an alkaline environment to create a roughed starchy exterior, tosses them with fat, and roasts the potatoes to yield crisp outer crusts with fluffy interiors.
quartering peeled potatoes
adding salt, baking soda, and potatoes to the hot water
The potatoes simmer until they are fork tender, which takes ten or so minutes. During that time, you can prepare your fat (olive oil, duck fat, beef fat) by heating it with minced garlic until the garlic turns golden. You don’t want to burn the garlic, just lightly brown it. Agitate the pan constantly to prevent the garlic from burning and then strain it just as the garlic takes on some color. Keep both the fat and the garlic. Kenji adds rosemary and pepper to his oil, but I like it better without rosemary. Go with your own preferences.
chop the parsley and garlic
garlic and duck fat
straining the fat
Once the potatoes are ready, drain the potatoes and let them hang out in the hot pot for 30 seconds to promote evaporation of any excess moisture in the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and toss with the hot oil and salt and pepper. This tossing is the step that generates that roughed starchy exterior, so don’t be too gentle! Spread the potatoes out on a pan and roast, turning the potatoes to get an even crisping. When the potatoes are done, toss them with the reserved browned garlic and parsley and any additional seasoning.
drying out the drained potatoes
pour the hot oil over the potatoes
toss to get that slushy outer layer
arrange in a single layer
roasted
toss with garlic and parsley
These really are the best roasted potatoes I’ve ever had. The crunch of the outer layer in contrast to a delicate, fluffy interior is heaven. In addition to the perfect texture combination, the flavor is excellent thanks in large part to 1) yukon gold potatoes (my favorite) 2) duck fat and 3) garlic. There is everything right with these potatoes.
serve immediately
dive on in
crisp and fluffy
Roasted Potatoes
[print recipe]
from Serious Eats
kosher salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
4 lbs. russet or yukon gold potatoes, peeled, cut into quarters or eighths (depending on size)
5 tbsps olive oil, duck fat, or beef fat
3 cloves garlic, minced
black pepper, freshly ground
handful of parsley leaves, minced
Preheat oven to 450°F. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Stir in 2 tablespoons of kosher salt, the baking soda, and the potatoes. Let the water return to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the potatoes for about 10 minutes until fork tender.
While the potatoes cook, set a strainer over a small bowl. Place the fat and garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Constantly agitate the pan to keep the garlic from burning until it just turns golden (about 3 minutes). Pour the fat through the strainer, reserving the solids.
When the potatoes are ready, drain them and return the potatoes to the pot to dry for 30 seconds. Empty the potatoes into a large bowl and toss with the hot oil, salt, and pepper. Keep tossing until a shaggy layer of mashed potatoes coats each piece. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spread the potatoes evenly in a single layer over the baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes. Turn the potatoes and cook another 30-40 minutes, turning occasionally for even crisping. Toss the potatoes with the reserved garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Serves 6-8.
more goodness from the use real butter archives
|
chateau potatoes |
|
parmesan gremolata smasher potatoes |
|
roasted potato and green chile salad |
|
potatoes au gratin |
December 11th, 2017 at 5:53 am
Yay! So happy that my comment reminded you of Deb’s imminent arrival in CO! And here I thought you two had probably had that visit planned for ages. So glad you were able to get together. I could’ve listened to her all night. Just thinking about the two of you together makes me smile, giggle, and drool thinking about all of your delicious food I have made. These potatoes look great. I am going to forward them to a friend who might still have some duck fat hanging around.
December 11th, 2017 at 5:54 am
P.S. I hope you get some unexpected snow before Christmas.
December 11th, 2017 at 8:27 am
You and Deb in the same place makes me happy. You two are the only food blogs I read.
December 11th, 2017 at 11:37 am
Count me in with Jillian. The thought of you and Deb Perelman meeting and noshing together makes me happy.
Also count me among the Colorado Front Range folk planning on a “brown” Christmas.
Planning to cook beef this year which is a departure for our family. I think these roasted potatoes may make their way onto our menu.
December 11th, 2017 at 11:43 am
Okay so I’ve seen this method before (in Cooks Illustrated I believe), but have never tried it. I think I’ll add it to this weeks cooking list and give it a go! Hope you all get some powder skiing in eventually. I’m gonna try and learn this winter now that I am surrounded by people who hit the slopes every weekend. Thanks Jen!! :)
December 11th, 2017 at 3:09 pm
This is very similar to the roasted potatoes my mother used to make so it brings back memories. Best wishes for snow for Christmas. Ann
December 11th, 2017 at 7:51 pm
Oh, these look so delicious! I’m definitely going to have them on my Christmas menu!! Hope you have a white Christmas!
December 12th, 2017 at 7:59 am
I adore her I adore you I adore this SO much . Best post ever.
December 12th, 2017 at 8:16 am
OK, off to buy some Yukon Golds and duck fat. This recipe is all me.
December 12th, 2017 at 12:00 pm
So glad you got to see Deb. I went to the event, which was PACKED, and she was a total delight. Can’t wait to try that potato recipe. Where do you get duck fat?
December 12th, 2017 at 12:26 pm
I had to look up flannel rag quilts and guess who’s blog came up in the featured snippet block at the top of the google search results page?! :) Hey you! So stoked to discover another of your blogs and uh, I guess, learn about quilting? The quilts are so crazy colorful, it makes me happy just to look at them!
December 13th, 2017 at 2:56 pm
*whose* (darn it!)
December 13th, 2017 at 3:39 pm
Too funny, just got done at Smitten Kitchen and slid over to Use real Butter….and there’s Deb P!
Keep up the delightful work….both of you! Thanks
December 17th, 2017 at 3:11 pm
I love the thought of you and Deb Perelman getting together – two of my favorite food bloggers! it could only have been better, in my mind, if Julie van Rosendaal of dinnerwithjulie had been there, too. The three of you have such good recipes and a joy and curiosity about cooking. Plus you’re each so warm and personal, and give me such a strong sense of the different places you each live.
December 18th, 2017 at 8:58 am
Kristin – Yep, I am terrible about keeping abreast of what others are up to unless they tell me specifically ;) Deb is a delight. And yeah, now I need to find myself some more duck fat!! Thanks for the snow wishes, looks like we MIGHT get some at the end of this week?!?! Fingers crossed!
jillian – That is ridiculously high praise to lump me in with Deb’s blog. xoxo
Rose – I hope you love the potatoes! They are so good with beef or pretty much anything (I mean, potatoes – right?!). I honestly don’t know what is traditional Christmas dinner fare anymore. I always think of it as a free-for-all! ;)
Steve – Oh yay! Just remember to keep relaxed (very hard to do when you are sliding to potential death and don’t know how to slow down) and things will go smoother. Definitely take a lesson or seven because learning the right way will get you there faster. Enjoy and happy holidays xoxo
Ann – Thank you!!
Diana – Thank you, dear! It looks like we might get one just in time :) Happy holidays to you!
Marissa – <3 xoxo
Carole - Woohoo!!!
Ariana - That must be why they moved it from the Boulder Bookstore (which is tiny). I saw SO many people walking through downtown Boulder with her book in their arms as I walked back to my car that night. Deb is a delight and I'm glad you got to see her! So I save the duck fat when I pan-sear duck breasts. But!! I have seen it sold in jars at Cured in Boulder, which I may have to raid as I used the last of my duck fat for the potatoes I shot in this post ;)
Jasmine - Oh, that's not my blog, it's just a personal web page. I am actually planning to post the rag quilt here since I don't have questions/comments enabled on that page. So watch this space!! :)
Sandy - Thank you xoxo
Lisa - Thanks for pointing me to Julie's blog!! I'm TERRIBLE about finding new blogs (or even visiting old favorites) these days that I appreciate good suggestions! And you are incredibly kind to group me with those two fine ladies. xxoo
December 29th, 2017 at 7:59 am
You just lived out the fantasy I had in my head prior to Deb coming to Minneapolis. I totally though, “oh yeah, I’ll play it cool and maybe Deb will come and grab a bite to eat with me.” Ha! So glad you two had a wonderful time! I’m definitely in the same boat as Jillian above, yours and Deb’s are the only blogs I follow religiously!
December 29th, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Chani – Thank you, such a sweet thing to say <3 xxoo