Probably most apetizing potatoes EVER!

 

 We were looking for a way to prepare potatoes for a special dinner party AE was throwing. I had once potatoes gratin, served in a small tower (the cook had probably cut it in slices and cooked with butter and cream in a small oval ceramic dish, they were cut to fit the dish). I liked the idea of a pre-cut potato, similar as you would do with garlic bread, baked in an oven until golden like french fries, and creamy inside. Please note we made just five, to try out, but probably 3-4 is enough per person. We made it like this:

Type of dish: side

Cost: cheap

Difficulty: easy

Time: 40-55 min              

Serves: 2-4

Preparation time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 13 min

Baking Time: 20-35min

What you need to make this dish: 
baking rack, parchment paper, vegetable peeler, sharp small knife, cutting board, large saucepan (2l), large plate to serve

Ingredients: 

•  6- 8 potatoes( medium oval one- they should fit your palm at least),

•  salted butter,

• chives,

• coarse salt

• water to boil

How to prepare:

Peel the potatoes, and cut down a bit from the bottom so it lays flat. Using a sharp knife, cut into 2-3 mm slices, careful not to cut through the potato (just like garlic bread slices are attached to the bottom).  In the meantime, heat the water in the saucepan so when you are finished slicing the potatoes, the water is boiling and  then put the potatoes in the unsalted water for 13 min. If you have smaller potatoes, cooking time will be 10 min, if larger, then 13 min.( you want them a little bit cooked).  Now turn  the oven on at 180 degrees to warm it up before you put in the potatoes. Drain the potatoes after the required time place on the parchment paper on the baking rack and cutting slices of the butter, lay on the potatoes, so their warmth will melt the butter and it will sink in the cuts you made earlier. Repeat this with every potato until the butter pools around each potato. Sprinkle on a pinch of coarse salt and put in the oven for 20- 30 min, until they start getting golden in color. Then remove the rack from the oven, apply each potato another slice of butter and pop them back in the oven for the remaining time and  turn on the broiler for the last 5min. when done, transfer to a large plate and sprinkle with thinly cut chives and some more coarse salt. Of course, you can serve it like we did, with a spring of rosemary on the side.

Additional information:

These are very well looking potatoes, but time taking. We’d recommend making these if you really want to impress someone, as for sure they will be delighted with the taste and appearance. If you don’t have salted butter, just regular, easiest way is to mash a bit with salt in a bowl, and freeze for 10 min so its solid. You may also add then some crushed garlic or finely chopped parsley to the butter. It will be tasty too.