To experience the deliciousness of this side dish, you will only have to make those crushed and crusty potato spuds! They are absolutely superb!
I prepare those as a side dish that breaks the ‘boredom’ of having just a plain baked or boiled potato on the plate.
Those spuds are really nice, nutty and crispy. Next to a roast lamb and some nicely baked veggies, they are just divine. I do tend to like baked veggies, in general, more than boiled but that’s me.
Every time I prepare them, I put some extra as I like to snatch a couple (at least) before they make it to the table ;-). Only because I cannot possibly control myself when I see them coming out of the oven. They are way too tempting.
Serving suggestions
As I was saying these make a gorgeous side to any steak, roast or fried meat, but they can be fab with a deep like a houmous or any yoghurt deep. I personally like to drown them in garlic sauce poured over just before having them on my plate. I really love having raw garlic. I deal with the breath issue after, haha.
I could not skip certain pleasures in life and this is definitely one of them, garlic with potato, what a combo!! Add some polenta to these and omg!
If you do not like raw garlic, it is not an issue, use garlic butter or garlic-infused olive oil.
I also alternate the herbs between Italian mixed herbs and the ones that I normally buy contain sesame seeds (delicious), thyme, rosemary or simple oregano or fresh parley crushed with garlic. Oh!!
Again, I’d always only choose organic potatoes because they do taste a lot better, they have a nicer texture (find non-organic ones a lot more watery) and if you ask me, the organic version is better in every way. This is a personal choice, opinion and opinion. I know many people don’t share these exact thoughts on organic produce but since I so strongly believe organic produce is better I somehow feel obliged I need to mention it.
Tips
- Try using organic potatoes if you can. They are tastier and healthier.
- The oil choice: olive, coconut or avocado oil, or simply use either butter or duck/goose fat. I do sometimes use those flavoured oils like rosemary and garlic which I make myself by simply adding a few cloves of garlic and one or two springs of rosemary to a small bottle of olive oil.
- I sometimes fancy them with cheese on top, any cheese that melts well or one you like in particular. I love them with gruyere cheese or cheddar or grated mozzarella.
- When crushing the potatoes you need to be gentle and apply force little by little. If they don’t crush well they are either over or under boiled. I suggest you choose the potatoes to be of very similar in size and before starting to crush them, try one first to see they are not still hard, they might need a little extra boiling.
- Try using a slightly greased parchment to crush the potatoes on (one by one) and remove them with a cake serving knife or an icing spreader. Alternatively, crush them straight away on the greased parchment paper placed on the tray that they will be baked in.
MORE potato RECIPES
I love potatoes so there are plenty more delicious recipes you can find by simply entering potato in the search bar.
For now, here is this simple crusty crushed potato or spuds recipe.
Crusty baked potato (spuds)
Equipment
- oven tray
- potato masher
- chopping board
- larger pot
Ingredients
- 16 small salad potatoes or 12 medium ones (skin on) thoroughly washed
- 2 tbps olive oil or melted coconut oil, or garlic butter
- 1 tsp salt (for boiling)
- 1 tbsp Italian herbs (mixed)
- 1/2 tsp Sesame seeds
- 1 tsp sea salt crystals
- pepper (freshly crushed) or cayenne pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 190C/375F, Gas Mark 5.
- Place a pot with approximately 1 litre of water on medium to high heat. Add the salt and allow to boil.
- Meanwhile, wash the potatoes thoroughly and place in the pot when water is almost at boiling point.
- Boil them for 5 min from boiling point.
- While the potatoes are boiling, prepare an oven tray by laying a sheet of parchment paper and drizzling some olive oil.
- When the potatoes have been boiling for 5 min, remove the pot from heat, pour out the water or remove the potatoes from water. Whatever you prefer and find easier.
- Gently and carefully handle the spuds while they are still hot and this is the secret for a great taste and fab crispness. They should go in the oven while still pretty warm from boiling.
- Place each potato on a chopping board and slightly squash with a potato masher. Apply pressure little by little until the potato flattens slightly.
- Remove with a spatula and place nicely in the tray.
- Drizzle a small amount of oil, garlic infused oil or melted garlic butter on each potato, sprinkle some coarse sea salt, a tiny pinch of dried herbs (my mix contains some sesame seeds – see tips) some black pepper or cayenne powder and place them in the oven.
- Bake for 30 min and mid-time you can take the tray out of the oven, drizzle or brush the spuds with a touch more oil, then place it back in.
- Take the tray with the little crusties out of the oven as soon as they look beautifully golden brown.
- Serve immediately and fully ENJOY those little splendours.
Leave a Reply