5 Ways to Dress Up a Potato

If you’re anything like me, you’re broke and carb-crazy. Since I grew up on potatoes and since they taste awesome, I tend to use them on a regular basis. Like, almost daily.

If you’re always looking for the best potato recipes, this post is for you!

1. Au Gratin

My boyfriend and I love watching Jacques Pepin, and recently, I found some old episodes of him cooking with Julia Child online. What captures me the most is his how easy and fluid he makes it all look. That deceptive simplicity always lulls me into believing that it actually is that easy, and then I try things I never would before.

Delicious potatoes au gratin. Photo by KellyK

One day, they had an episode on the potato. As you now know, I’m potato crazy, so it was heavenly for me. They made these stunning, elegant dishes, but one of the best potato recipes they made was for au gratin potatoes.

There were two types: one creamy and cheesy, the other made with stock and herbs.

From there, I realized I could slice potatoes thinly, cook them in any kind of sauce, and call them fancy.

Jacques Pepin’s Gratin Dauphinoise is a delectably rich and hearty dish that will take you back to another world.

2. Homemade Fries

I don’t care what anybody says; a good fry is a great thing. This simple recipe is one of the best potato recipes out there. Since I love both potatoes and my cast iron skillet, French fries are a common creation in my house.

The trick: use hot oil and precook the potatoes. I rinse my potatoes and pop them in the microwave for a minute or two (gasp!). This helps start the cooking process so I can avoid the burned-outside-raw-inside problem that you may confront as you enter the homemade fry world.

I toss my French Fries with smoked sweet paprika and Fri-B-Que Dry Rub.

Be sure to drain them on a paper towel as soon as they’re done cooking, and salt them generously. Find a nice spice mix to toss on top for an extra special treat.

3. Potatoes Romanoff

Now, I did not create this recipe, but I wish I did. This incredibly simple potato recipe takes twice-baked potatoes and mixes them with awesome ingredients like sour cream, bacon, shallots, and chives. Pop ‘em in the oven in a casserole dish, and delve into crusted-cheese-topped, herbaceous, nommy potatoes. Mmm, nommy potatoes.

4. Hot German Potato Salad

Whether I’m a vegetarian or carnivore, whether it’s the middle of summer or cold of winter, I always want German potato salad. Honestly, I’m a potato salad snob. Since I can’t stand bell peppers, any salad that includes them is immediately gross. I also dislike boiled egg in my potato salad unless there’s an ample amount of vinegar to cut the gross, farty taste.

The traditional recipe for Hot German Potato Salad never fails. Plus, it is amenable to substitutions, which means you can remove this or add that without ruining its flavoristic integrity.

5. Buy a dress

The truly best way to “dress up” a potato:

No potatoes were harmed unintentionally in the making of this post. I would never waste a delicious potato on a toy, so go make some potato salad instead of playing with your food.

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