Classic Pommes Anna Simple French Gratin Potato Cake Recipes

POMMES ANNA

Steps:

• preheat oven to 230c (450f) on bake, not fan
• slice potatoes very thin, a mandolin makes very short work of slicing and also gives uniform slices, otherwise cut potatoes as thin as possible
• place slices in a clean tea towel and blot any excess moisture from them
• add garlic to butter and mix
• add 2 tablespoons of the melted butter in the bottom of a 22cm (8 1/2 inch) cast iron or a heavy based frypan
• brush sides and base with butter
• heat frypan over low-medium heat and when hot start to place potato slices overlapping around the outside edge of the base and work your way to the centre -see video above for technique, and notes below for a handy tip
• sprinkle lightly with parmesan, thyme and butter and season with salt and pepper lightly
• alternate potato slice layers from clockwise to counterclockwise on each layer - this step helps to stabilize each cut slice from falling apart
• keep building layers until you have used all of the potato slices
• brush top with butter (you may still have a little butter left in the pan)
• use a plate or saucepan lid that's slightly smaller than the frypan, to push potatoes down
• cover pan with tin foil and place on a rimmed baking sheet on the middle shelf of the oven
• cook for 20 minutes
• remove pan from oven and remove and discard the foil, again use the plate or lid to gently press the potatoes again
• return pan to oven uncovered and bake for a further 30-35 minutes or until potato is golden brown
• remove from oven and gently pour off any excess butter
• run a spatula around the outside of the pan to loosen any sticky bits
• place serving plate over the frypan and quickly invert the plate to remove from the frypan
• serve and enjoy!

POMMES ANNA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place a rack in the middle and set a rimmed baking sheet on top of it.
• Trim potatoes into cylinders, peeling any skin left after trimming. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, slice into 1/8-inch slices and blot dry with paper towels. You should have about 8 1/2 cups.
• In a heavy 10-inch cast-iron skillet, heat 3 tablespoons clarified butter over medium heat. When hot, carefully place 1 potato slice in the middle, then quickly place more slices around it, overlapping them clockwise to make a ring. Place a second ring to surround the first, going counterclockwise. Continue to the edge of the pan, alternating the direction in which the potato rings overlap. Sprinkle with a generous 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste, then drizzle with another 2 tablespoons butter.
• Create second layer of potatoes, just as you did the first. Dot a third of the garlic slices, if using, on top of this layer of potatoes. Season with salt and pepper; drizzle with butter.
• Continue layering potatoes, garlic, butter and salt until everything is used, making a dome of potatoes in the middle (they will sink as they cook). Occasionally shake skillet gently to ensure potatoes aren't sticking. When finished, there should be enough butter that it can be seen bubbling up the sides of the skillet.
• Butter the bottom of a 9-inch pan and one side of a piece of foil. Push the pan down firmly on top of the potatoes to press them. Remove pan, then cover potatoes with the foil, buttered side down. Cover the foil with a lid. Set skillet on the baking sheet in oven and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove skillet from oven, uncover and remove foil, and again press potatoes down firmly with the 9-inch pan. (Rebutter bottom of pan, if necessary, before you press down.) Return to oven and bake uncovered, until potatoes are tender and the sides are dark brown when lifted away from skillet, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Once more, remove skillet from oven and press potatoes down firmly with pan. Tip the skillet away from you to drain off the excess butter into a bowl (this can be reused for cooking), using the lid to keep the potatoes in place. Run a thin spatula around edge and bottom of skillet to loosen any slices stuck to the pan. Carefully turn out the potatoes onto a serving platter.

POMMES ANNA

Steps:

• Slice potatoes in 1/8-inch thick rounds and soak in ice water for at least 30 minutes. Drain slices and pat dry with paper towels.
• Combine butter and garlic.
• In a deep 10-inch greased pie plate or casserole, arrange 1/3 of the potato slices in slightly overlapping fashion, beginning with the outside edges and continuing the circle design to center of dish.
• Layer 1/3 of onion slices, broken into rings, on top of the potatoes, then 1/3 of butter mixture, salt, pepper, paprika and cheese. Repeat this process 2 more times, ending with cheese on top.
• Bake, covered at 400 degrees for 1 hour. If cheese is not brown on top, place under broiler for 4-5 minutes. Cut in wedges to serve.

CLASSIC POMMES ANNA - SIMPLE FRENCH GRATIN POTATO CAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/gas 6.
• Put the potato slices in a colander and rinse under running water to get rid of the starch. Place on a cloth in a single layer and pat dry.
• Generously grease the base of an ovenproof pan or baking dish with melted butter.
• Arrange the potato slices in the pan in overlapping circles , brushing butter over each layer and seasoning as you go.
• Cover with greaseproof paper or a lid. Bake in the oven for 45minutes or up to 1 hour. Test with a skewer to see if the potatoes are done.
• Cooks Notes:.
• Cook this in a cast-iron, heavy-bottomed, stubby-handled frying pan that goes in the oven. Traditionally it should be lidded - mine isn't, so I use greaseproof paper.
• Historical Note:.
• Mrs. Landemare's original recipe is:.
• Potatoes. Fresh butter.
• Peel some potatoes and cut into very thin rounds the size of a florin. Wash in salted water and dry very well in a cloth. Well butter an omelette pan. Place a layer of potatoes on the bottom. Cover with oiled [melted] butter, pepper and salt. Repeat these layers until the pan is full and cook in a medium [350°F] over until brown [40-60 min.] Remove from the oven, turn out and cut into slices or serve whole in a dish.

CLASSIC FRENCH GRATIN DAUPHINOIS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring the potatoes, milk, and garlic to a gentle simmer.
• Continue to cook the potatoes, gently stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain a simmer, until just tender, about 15 minutes. Be very careful not to overcook them as they need to hold their shape for layering in the pan. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 F.
• Transfer the potatoes to a medium bowl with a slotted spoon, taking care not to break the slices. Drain the milk from the pan and reserve for another use. Add the heavy cream, crème fraiche or sour cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the saucepan and whisk to combine. Gently return the potatoes to the pan.
• Heat the potato-cream mixture to barely a simmer (a few bubbles are fine but no more) for 10 to 15 minutes until the potatoes are very tender but not falling apart.
• Butter a large baking dish. Transfer the potatoes to the baking dish with a slotted spoon, layering them without breaking them up too much.
• Cover with the cream from the pan.
• Sprinkle the Gruyere cheese over the potatoes (if using).
• Bake in the oven until the potatoes are golden brown on top and the cream is mostly absorbed, about 50 minutes.
• Serve with your favorite main dish. Enjoy!

MINI POMMES ANNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Brush 12 muffin cups generously with butter. Place 1 thyme sprig in center of each muffin cup.
• Add chopped thyme and garlic to remaining butter in saucepan and stir over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Using a mandoline, slice potatoes crosswise into very thin rounds (1/16"-ish). Place in a large bowl. Pour herb butter over potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Toss well to coat.
• Divide potato slices among muffin cups, layering overlapping slices to create a circular pattern. When the muffin cup is filled to the rim, press down lightly with a fork to compact. Drizzle any remaining butter in bowl over potatoes.
• Cover muffin tins tightly with aluminum foil. Place muffin tin(on a baking sheet and bake in preheated oven until potatoes can be easily pierced with a knife, about 35 minutes. Remove foil.
• Prepare another baking sheet by lining with parchment paper. Invert muffin tins onto prepared sheet, banging it a bit to loosen potatoes. If any potatoes/thyme has stuck to the muffin tins, gently use a butter knife to loosen and place on potato stacks. [IF MAKING AHEAD, STOP HERAllow potatoes to cool a bit, then cover baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Proceed with rest of recipe when ready.]
• Increase oven temperature to 425° [If you made ahead, remove baking sheet with potatoes, remove plastic wrap and preheat oven to 425° F., allowing potatoes to sit at room temperature while oven heats]. Place into 425° oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully using a spatula, flip potato stacks over (thyme side dowand bake for another 8-10 minutes, until under-side is nice and golden. Remove from oven and flip thyme-side-up to serve. [If you made ahead and your potatoes were cold/room temperature when they went in to the oven, you may need a few minutes longer on each side.]

CLASSIC POMMES ANNA - SIMPLE FRENCH GRATIN POTATO CAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/gas 6.
• Put the potato slices in a colander and rinse under running water to get rid of the starch. Place on a cloth in a single layer and pat dry.
• Generously grease the base of an ovenproof pan or baking dish with melted butter.
• Arrange the potato slices in the pan in overlapping circles , brushing butter over each layer and seasoning as you go.
• Cover with greaseproof paper or a lid. Bake in the oven for 45minutes or up to 1 hour. Test with a skewer to see if the potatoes are done.
• Cooks Notes:.
• Cook this in a cast-iron, heavy-bottomed, stubby-handled frying pan that goes in the oven. Traditionally it should be lidded - mine isn't, so I use greaseproof paper.
• Historical Note:.
• Mrs. Landemare's original recipe is:.
• Potatoes. Fresh butter.
• Peel some potatoes and cut into very thin rounds the size of a florin. Wash in salted water and dry very well in a cloth. Well butter an omelette pan. Place a layer of potatoes on the bottom. Cover with oiled [melted] butter, pepper and salt. Repeat these layers until the pan is full and cook in a medium [350°F] over until brown [40-60 min.] Remove from the oven, turn out and cut into slices or serve whole in a dish.