Crusty baked (potato) spuds

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 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 veggied 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 control myself when I see them coming out of the oven. They are way too tempting, what can I do…… ;-)).

I make those as a side to any steak, roast or fried meat, but they can be fab with a deep like a houmous or any yoghurt deep.

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 are better in every way, but…. this is a personal choice and opinion and I know many people don’t share this exact thoughts on organic produce but since I so strongly believe organic produce is better I somehow feel obliged I need to mention it.

Here is this simple spuds recipe.

Print

Crusty potato spuds

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 16 small salad potatoes or 12 medium ones (skin on)
• 2 tbps olive oil or melted coconut oil, or butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp italian herbs (mixed)
• 1/2 tsp Sesame seeds
• 1 tsp sea salt crystals
• pepper (freshly crushed) or cayenne pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven at 190 C, 475 F, Gas Mark 5.
2. Place a pot with 1l water on medium to high heat. Add the salt and allow to boil.
3. Meanwhile wash the potatoes thoroughly and place in the pot when water is almost at boiling point.
4. Boil them for 5 min from boiling point.
5. While the potatoes are boiling, prepare an oven tray by laying a sheet of parchment paper and drizzling some olive oil.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Place each potato on a chopping board and slightly squash with a potato masher. Apply pressure little by little until the potato flattens slightly.
9. Remove with a spatula and place nicely in the tray.
10. Drizzle a small amount of oil on each potato, sprinkle some coarse sea salt, a tiny pinch of dried herbs (my mix contains some sesame seeds too which is lovely ;-)), some black or cayenne pepper and place them in the oven.
11. Bake for 30 min and mid-time you can take the tray out of the oven, drizzle the spuds with a touch more oil, then place it back in.
12. Take the tray with the little crusties out of the oven as soon as they look beautifully golden brown.
13. Serve immediately and fully ENJOY those little splendours.

Recipe Notes

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 a 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.

Enjoy every mouthful!  They are truly gorgeous.