Overview
The Best Baked Smashed Creamer Potatoes
Looking for a new and delicious way to enjoy potatoes? Try these crispy and savory smashed potatoes! With a flavorful mix of garlic, butter, and parmesan cheese, these potatoes are sure to become a new favorite. Garnished with fresh chives, they're the perfect side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds creamer potatoes washed well
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- Salt and pepper to taste About 1 tbsp salt and 1 tsp pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- In a large pot, cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to lightly smash each potato.
- In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, minced garlic, and grated parmesan cheese.
- Drizzle the butter mixture over the smashed potatoes, making sure to get some in between the crevices.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy and golden brown.
- Garnish with chopped fresh chives and serve hot.
- This recipe is simple yet delicious, and the combination of butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese adds a savory and flavorful kick to the creamy texture of the creamer potatoes. Enjoy!
Notes
Tips and Tricks
- Choose creamer potatoes that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
- Don’t over-boil the potatoes, as they can become too soft and fall apart when smashed. Keep an eye on them and test for doneness with a fork.
- Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to lightly smash each potato. Don’t press too hard or they’ll become too flat and won’t hold the butter and garlic mixture as well.
- Mix the butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese well to ensure that each potato gets coated with the mixture.
- Don’t skimp on the salt and pepper, as they help to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Use parchment paper or aluminum foil to line the baking sheet, as it will make cleanup easier.
- If you want an even crispier exterior, you can flip the potatoes halfway through the baking time.
- Garnish with fresh chives just before serving to add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
Creation Time
The total time required to prepare this recipe is around 45 to 50 minutes, which includes:- 5 minutes to gather and prepare all the ingredients.
- 20 minutes to boil the potatoes until they are tender.
- 5 minutes to drain and transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- 5 to 10 minutes to smash the potatoes and prepare the butter mixture.
- 20 to 25 minutes to bake the potatoes until they are crispy and golden brown.
Storing Leftovers
To store leftover smashed potatoes, let them cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. You can refrigerate them for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, you can either microwave them or reheat them in the oven or toaster oven until warmed through. If the potatoes have become dry, you can add a bit of milk or butter before reheating to add some moisture.History:
Smashed potatoes, also known as “smashed spuds” or “crash hot potatoes,” have a history that can be traced back to the early 2000s. The exact origin of this dish is unknown, but it is believed to have emerged as a popular side dish in Australia before spreading to other parts of the world.
The concept of smashing potatoes is simple: boiled potatoes are gently smashed and then roasted or fried until they become crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside. The dish is highly versatile and can be seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices, as well as cheese, butter, and other toppings.
Today, smashed potatoes are a popular side dish in many households and restaurants, with countless variations and adaptations to suit different tastes and preferences. They are often served with grilled meats, seafood, or roasted vegetables, and are loved for their crispy texture and comforting flavor.
Pairing Recommendations:
Smashed potatoes can be a great side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. Here are some pairing recommendations:
- Grilled or roasted meat: Smashed potatoes pair well with grilled or roasted meats such as steak, chicken, pork, or lamb.
- Fish or seafood: Smashed potatoes also complement fish or seafood dishes such as salmon, shrimp, or scallops.
- Roasted vegetables: You can serve smashed potatoes with a side of roasted vegetables such as carrots, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts for a healthy and flavorful meal.
- Salad: Smashed potatoes can also be paired with a simple salad, such as a mixed green salad, to add some texture and variety to your plate.
- Gravy or sauce: You can serve smashed potatoes with gravy or sauce for added flavor. Mushroom gravy, onion gravy, or a creamy cheese sauce are all great options.
- Wine: To enhance the flavors of your meal, consider pairing your smashed potatoes with a glass of red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. For a white wine, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc are good options.
Variations:
There are many variations to this recipe that you can try to add your own twist to it. Here are a few ideas:
- Herbed smashed potatoes: Add some chopped fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley to the butter mixture for extra flavor.
- Cheesy smashed potatoes: Mix in some shredded cheddar or other favorite cheese with the butter mixture and sprinkle some extra cheese on top before baking.
- Smashed sweet potatoes: Use sweet potatoes instead of creamer potatoes and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Spicy smashed potatoes: Add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the butter mixture for a spicy kick.
- Garlic and onion smashed potatoes: Add some diced onion to the butter mixture along with the minced garlic for extra flavor.
- Bacon and cheddar smashed potatoes: Mix in some crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese with the butter mixture and sprinkle some extra bacon and cheese on top before baking.
These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to experiment with your own flavor combinations and toppings!
Nutritional Benefits:
Here is a nutritional breakdown for the recipe you provided:
- Creamer Potatoes: Creamer potatoes are a good source of potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. Two pounds of creamer potatoes (about 907 grams) contain approximately 400 calories, 92 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, and no fat.
- Butter: Butter is high in fat and calories. Half a cup of melted butter (about 113 grams) contains approximately 800 calories, 92 grams of fat (58 grams of saturated fat), and no carbohydrates or protein.
- Garlic: Garlic is low in calories and contains antioxidants. Four cloves of garlic contain approximately 16 calories, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 0.8 grams of protein, and no fat.
- Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese is high in protein and calcium but also high in fat and calories. One-fourth cup of grated parmesan cheese (about 28 grams) contains approximately 110 calories, 7.5 grams of fat (4.5 grams of saturated fat), 2 grams of carbohydrates, and 9 grams of protein.
- Chives: Chives are low in calories and a good source of vitamin K. Two tablespoons of chopped fresh chives contain approximately 1 calorie, 0.1 grams of carbohydrates, 0.1 grams of protein, and no fat.
Overall, this recipe is high in calories and fat due to the butter and cheese, but it also provides some nutritional benefits from the creamer potatoes, garlic, and chives. Enjoy in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Nutritional Breakdown:
Servings: 6
Calories: 430 Total Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 60mg Sodium: 320mg Total Carbohydrates: 51g
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Sugars: 2g Protein: 7g
Vitamin D: 1% Calcium: 10% Iron: 10% Potassium: 30% Vitamin C: 30%
Note: Nutritional values may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used.
Fun Facts:
- Smashed potatoes are also known as “crash hot potatoes,” a term coined by Australian food writer Jill Dupleix in 2002.
- The concept of smashing potatoes is not new, as it has been a traditional method of preparing potatoes in many cultures, such as German Kartoffelstampf, Irish colcannon, and British bubble and squeak.
- Smashed potatoes are a popular side dish in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
- Creamer potatoes, which are small, young potatoes that are harvested before they reach maturity, are commonly used in smashed potato recipes for their tender texture and mild flavor.
- Smashed potatoes can be seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices, such as rosemary, thyme, paprika, or cumin, to add extra flavor and aroma to the dish.
- Some variations of smashed potatoes include using sweet potatoes or yams instead of regular potatoes, adding cheese or bacon to the topping, or incorporating other vegetables such as roasted garlic, caramelized onions, or roasted peppers.
“I think that potatoes are probably the one vegetable that almost everybody on the planet eats and enjoys.”
– Neil deGrasse Tyson
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