Smashed Potatoes With Tapenade Crust Recipes

SMASHED POTATOES WITH TAPENADE CRUST

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and add the red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the bay leaf, peppercorns, and salt to taste. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook at a low boil 12 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender enough to be pierced with a skewer. Drain in a colander; do not allow them to cool, or they will break instead of smash.
• Put a potato on a clean dishcloth on a work surface, cover with another clean dishcloth, and using the palm of your hand, slowly and gently smash (crush) the potato. Transfer to a tray. Repeat with the remaining potatoes. Spoon the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil over the potatoes. Do not oil the bottoms of the potatoes, or the tapenade will not stick well when it is applied.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-low heat until a drop of water sizzles on the surface. Put the potatoes on the hot surface, oiled side down, and cook until they are crisp on the first side, about 5 minutes: DON'T MOVE THEM! Transfer to a tray, crisp side down.
• Slide a wide spatula under a crisped potato. Spread a heaping tablespoon of tapenade on top, and press down lightly to compact the crust. With one quick move, flip the potato over onto the hot surface, tapenade side down, and lower the heat slightly. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, and brown them for about 7 minutes, or until the tapenade is crisp. Carefully remove the potatoes as they are cooked and invert onto a serving platter, tapenade crust facing up. Serve immediately.

SMASHED POTATOES WITH TAPENADE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine all ingredients for tapenade. May be refrigerated up to one week in a tightly sealed container.
• Put potatoes in a saucepan with vinegar, bay leaf, peppercorns, salt and water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and continue to cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until potatoes are soft. Drain. While still warm, place potatoes in a dishtowel and gently crush with the flat of your hand on a hard surface.
• Heat a seasoned griddle over medium-low grill or stovetop until a drop of water sizzles on surface. Place potatoes on griddle and cook without moving until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove potatoes to a plate with a wide spatula. Top uncooked side with 2 tablespoons tapenade, pressing it into potato. Put potatoes back on griddle, tapenade side down, and cook another 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

PERFECT SMASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Put 1 3/4 pounds baby potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Add 2 bay leaves, 2 garlic cloves and a big pinch of salt; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, discarding the bay leaves and garlic. Toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, transfer to a baking sheet and smash with a spatula or measuring cup. Drizzle with more olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil, turning, until crisp and golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

CRISPY SMASHED HERBED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°. Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until tender, 15-20 minutes. Drain., Drizzle oil over the bottom of a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; arrange potatoes over oil. Using a potato masher, flatten potatoes to 1/2-in. thickness. Brush potatoes with butter; sprinkle with salt and pepper., Roast until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with chives and parsley.