Description
Comfort meets elegance in these French onion stuffed potatoes, blending caramelized onions and rich cheese within crispy potato shells. Hearty flavors from French culinary traditions deliver a memorable side dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
Cooking Fats and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon sugar (optional, for faster caramelization)
Liquid and Garnish:
- ¼ cup beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare for roasting by heating the oven to a robust 400F (200C). Pierce each potato multiple times with a fork, massage with olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. Position potatoes directly on the oven rack, allowing them to roast for 50-60 minutes until they yield effortlessly when tested with a fork.
- Transform onions into a golden delicacy by melting butter and olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Introduce sliced onions, accompanied by salt and optional sugar. Stir attentively for 25-30 minutes, coaxing them into a rich caramel hue. Modulate heat if browning occurs too rapidly. Incorporate broth, thyme, and garlic powder, letting the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until liquid nearly disappears.
- Once potatoes cool sufficiently, slice lengthwise and delicately excavate the interior, preserving a thin potato shell. Mash the extracted potato pulp, blending with half the caramelized onions and a generous handful of cheese. Calibrate flavor with additional salt and pepper.
- Lovingly fill each potato cavity with the onion-potato fusion, creating a slight mound. Crown with remaining caramelized onions and a lavish sprinkle of cheese.
- Position stuffed potatoes on a baking sheet, then broil at high temperature for 3-5 minutes. Watch closely as cheese melts and transforms into a bubbling, golden crust.
- Enhance presentation by scattering fresh chopped parsley across the potatoes. Serve immediately while warmth and flavors remain vibrant.
Notes
- Master the potato cooking by ensuring even punctures and light oil coating for crispy skin that doesn’t burst during baking.
- Control caramelization temperature carefully to develop rich, sweet onion flavor without burning, stirring consistently for uniform color and texture.
- Consider swapping regular cheese with alternative options like goat cheese or vegan substitutes to accommodate different dietary preferences and nutritional needs.
- Experiment with additional herbs like rosemary or sage to enhance the depth of flavor and create unique variations of this classic comfort dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg