More than fifteen of the best potato recipes

“It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.”

Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

It’s 11 March today, Douglas Adams’ birthday. His book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, clearly enjoyed by the two Saucy Dressings’ tasters, above (one was reading to the other), is also one of my favourite books. It’s marvellously zany, the dry humour encapsulating much wisdom – “Would it save you a lot of time if I just gave up and went mad now?”seeming to be a particularly reasonable question, for example.

I think it’s Arthur Dent who comments that potatoes, on their own, completely naked as it were, are not enough.

At the very least you need butter and salt.

Douglas Adams
Douglas Adams – he also created Dr Who, and contributed to Monty Python.

But that is the very least. So to celebrate Adam’s life and work Saucy Dressings is posting on the best potato recipes – and here they are, some fifteen or so of them.

Number 1: Montepulciano onion-braised potatoes

Slow-cooked in Noilly Prat vermouth, these soft, scented potatoes can be quickly extended into a whole meal by adding artichoke hearts and ricotta-stuffed chicken.  Here’s the link.

slow braised potatoes recipe
Montepulciano slow-braised potatoes with onions.

 

Number 2: Crushed lemony potatoes

This is one of my favourite ways of cooking potatoes, just straightforward boiling. Needless to say there is no peeling involved and preparation time is minimal. Here’s the link.

crushed lemony potatoes recipe
Crushed lemony potatoes

Number 3: German potato salad

The Germans excel at this – although it’s more a method than a prescriptive recipe – every hausfrau has her own approach – some add bacon. Here’s the link.

german potato salad recipe
German potato salad

Number 4: How to cook the best ever baked potatoes in their jackets

It’s all in the massaging. Simple method explained. Emergency method as to what to do to speed up the process if you have forgotten to put them in on time. And a whole list of creative fillings. Here’s the link.

perfect potatoes in their jackets
How to cook the best baked potato in its jacket.

Number 5: How to cook Jersey Royal potatoes – don’t shock the tuber!

For heaven’s sake don’t peel them (I’m sure you knew that); and put them in cold water, then bring to the boil, in spite of advice from many celebrities. Here’s the link.

how to cook jersey royal potatoes
Jersey Royal potatoes

Number 6: Wonderful wedge lemon-roasted potatoes instead of chips

I don’t do chips – I am not cluttering up my kitchen with a deep fat fryer, and I am not throwing away all that fat. And in any case Life is Too Short. Whenever a dish calls for chips, this is what I do instead – it is genuinely no work – and the lemon makes them a bit unusual. Here’s the link.

recipe for wonderful wedge potatoes
Wonderful wedge potatoes

Number 7: My son’s super-excellent roast potatoes

Using a method developed over decades, with great dedication. Includes techniques recommended by such culinary giants as Nigella and Heston; and an idea for what to do with leftover roast potatoes. Here’s the link.

how to cook perfect roast potatoes
How to cook perfect roast potatoes

 

Number 8: Poem-inspired fried potatoes

The best way to make fried potatoes, as lyrically described in Pablo Neruda’s poem, Papas Fritas. Here’s the link.

fried potatoes recipe
Fried potatoes – semi-gilded by the amber oil

Number 9: Greco-Italian potatoes with greens

A dish of potatoes and mixed greens (called yahnera) which were to be found the last time I was in Crete (some decades ago) in the markets in spring. The predominant flavour of these bunches comes from wild fennel, but they would also include a number of other plants – chrysanthemum for example. Some Italian chard, fennel and mild onion is also included. Here’s the link.

potatoes and greens recipe
Greco-Italian potatoes with greens

 

Number 10: Impressive Pommes Anna

Created during the era of Napoleon III, and named, as were so many culinary triumphs in those days, after one of the grandes cocottes of the period. These look difficult, but if you follow these instructions they are a cinch. Here’s the link.

pommes anna recipe
Impressive Pommes Ann

Number 11: Savoury Tarte Tatin

Ideal for vegetarians this one – it will make the centrepiece of an impressive spread. Here’s the link.

savoury tarte tatin recipe
Savoury Tarte Tatin

Number 12: Dauphinois potatoes made using the dry stone wall technique

Naughty, and a lot more than just nice, this is a creamy, dreamy way of cooking potatoes. Here’s the link.

dauphinois potatoes
Dauphinois potatoes

Number 13: How to keep your instant mash a state secret

What it says on the tin: quick, easy, and no one will ever know. Comes with a list of interesting things to add – mayonnaise, vanilla, black pudding, truffle oil…. and lots of other ideas you might not have thought of. Here’s the link.

mashed potato
Instant mash

Number 14: Tortilla Española

I’ve been looking for the secret to making this wonderful Spanish dish for a long time. Now I know that time is the essence. Post to come.

tortilla espanola recipe
Tortilla Española

 

Number 15: 2.00 am patatas bravas

Another superlative Spanish way of slowly braising potatoes incorporating a little spicy, warming heat. Drink with a cold, dry sherry. Here’s the link.

recipe for patatas bravas
Patatas Bravas

Number 16: Bratkartoffeln

Wonderful German way of frying already boiled potatoes with bacon and onion. Here’s the link.

bratkartoffeln
Bratkartoffeln

Number 17: Potatoes à la Lyonnaise

à la Lyonnaise” means cooked with onions. This simple French dish does not disappoint – always reliably good. Here is the link.

lyonnaise potatoes
Potatoes à la Lyonnaise

Yet more ideas for things to do with potatoes

For more interesting ideas of things to do with potatoes, try buying Potatoes: 65 delicious ways with the humble potato from fries to pies by Jenny Linford.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Related Posts

Montalbano’s peperoni arrosto – or the best way to cook red peppers

“…si arricriava a mangiare una generose porzione di peperoni arrosto che Adelina aveva lasciato in frigorifero”Andrea Camillieri, La Forma Del Acqua As regular readers…
Read More

Prince Oblonsky’s tarragon chicken with a soft onion-vermouth sauce

This is quite a versatile recipe. On the one hand it is real comfort food. The first time I made it we both had awful…
Read More

Jason Goodwin tells us how his Ottoman investigator, Yashim, came to develop his culinary skills

Regular readers of Saucy Dressings will know that one of my greatest pleasures is curling up in front of a crackling fire with a good,…
Read More

Sign up to our Saucy Newsletter

subscribe today for monthly highlights of foodie events, new restaurant at home menus, recipe ideas and our latest blog posts