Description
Crispy golden smashed fingerling potatoes emerge as a delightful side dish that elevates simple ingredients. Salt, herbs, and olive oil create an irresistible combination perfect for dinner companions craving something crunchy and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) fingerling potatoes (or baby potatoes)
- 3 tbsps olive oil or melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional, for a cheesy finish)
- 2 tbsps salt (for boiling)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or rosemary (or ½ tsp dried)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Potato Preparation: Meticulously cleanse fingerling potatoes, eliminating any soil residue or imperfections, then transfer to a roomy culinary vessel.
- Water and Seasoning: Submerge potatoes completely in cold water, generously infusing the liquid with salt for enhanced flavor profile.
- Boiling Process: Activate medium-high heat, transforming the water from placid to vigorously bubbling, creating an optimal cooking environment for the potatoes.
- Cooking and Tenderness Check: Maintain robust boiling for 15-20 minutes, periodically assessing potato doneness by gently piercing with a fork – seeking a delicate, yielding texture that signals perfect cooking.
- Cooling and Draining: Extract pot from heat source, strategically drain potatoes using a colander, allowing residual moisture to evaporate and steam to dissipate, rendering the potatoes ready for subsequent culinary techniques.
Notes
- Potato Selection: Choose small, uniform-sized fingerling potatoes for consistent cooking and appealing presentation.
- Salt Water Technique: Add enough salt to create a flavorful brine that enhances the potatoes’ natural taste during boiling.
- Tenderness Test: Check potato doneness by gently inserting a fork – it should slide in smoothly without resistance, indicating perfect texture.
- Cooling Strategy: Allow potatoes to air dry briefly after draining to prevent waterlogging and ensure crispy edges when further prepared.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg