Championship Potatoes Recipes

CHAMPIONSHIP POTATOES

Steps:

• Fill a 6-quart pot â..." full of water; add the crab boil and mix until blended. Cut the potatoes in half and slice into â...œ-inch thick pieces. (This can be done ahead of time; cover the potatoes with ice water until ready to cook.) Add the potatoes to the pot. Bring water to a boil and cook the potatoes until fork-tender.
• While the potatoes are cooking: in a medium saute pan on medium heat, cook bacon until crispy; remove and drain on a paper towel. Add red onion to bacon grease; cook until caramelized. Just before onions are done, add garlic and cook until lightly brown.
• In a bowl, place butter, ½ the cheese, ½ the bacon bits, ½ the green onions, the cooked red onions and garlic, cayenne, paprika, salt, pepper, and sour cream; mix together thoroughly. Strain potatoes and add to bowl; let stand for a few minutes or until cheese starts to melt. Fold ingredients together, trying not to break up the potatoes excessively. Top with remaining cheese, bacon, and green onions. Check seasonings and adjust to taste.

SALISBURY STEAK WITH MUSHROOM GRAVY, GARLIC MASHED POTATOES AND PEAS, CARROTS AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• For the Salisbury steak: Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add half of the minced garlic and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Set aside to lightly cool.
• In a medium bowl, add the ground beef, panko, chicken stock, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, egg, 2 tablespoons of the Dijon and the sauteed onions and garlic. Reserve the pan that the onion and garlic were cooked in. Combine the ground beef mixture until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
• Turn the saute pan back on to medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Take a small amount of the meat mixture and cook a tester patty to check for seasoning; adjust the remaining meat mixture with more salt if necessary. Form the remaining meat mixture into 4 equally-sized oval patties, patting firmly, each 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and cook the patties over medium-high heat until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the patties onto a sheet tray and discard any excess fat from the pan.
• To make the gravy, return the pan to medium-high heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining garlic and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until brown and softened, another 5 minutes. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the beef stock and remaining 2 tablespoons Dijon. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the gravy has thickened slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the Salisbury steaks back into the gravy and simmer for 5 minutes.
• For the peas, carrots and peppers: To a medium saute pan, add the carrots, 1/2 cup of the chicken stock and a generous pinch of salt. Turn on the heat to medium high and cook until the carrots are slightly tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the red bell pepper and remaining 1/4 cup chicken stock and cook until the chicken stock has mostly reduced, about another 5 minutes. Add the frozen peas and butter and swirl until the butter has melted, then turn off the heat and set aside.
• For the garlic mashed potatoes: Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat.
• In another saucepan, add the potatoes and garlic and cover with cold water. Generously season the water with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until the potatoes are fork tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes, then return them to the pan. Using a hand mixer, blend the potatoes and add half of the butter. Then add some of the heated cream and the rest of the butter. Continue to mix, gradually adding more heavy cream until you reach the desired consistency for your mashed potatoes. You may not need to use all of the cream.
• To plate: Plate the Salisbury steaks and smother with the gravy, then garnish with the sliced chives. Serve alongside the peas, carrots and red peppers and garlic mashed potatoes.

CHEF JOHN'S TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Rub potatoes with vegetable oil and place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a paring knife easily inserts into the center of a potato, about 1 hour. Set aside to cool until easy to handle, about 10 minutes.
• Cut 1/3 off each potato lengthwise. Scoop flesh from each potato to within about 1/8-inch of the skins. Transfer flesh to a bowl.
• Combine potato flesh with butter and green onion; stir until butter is melted evenly into potato. Add salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cheese; stir until cheese is melted. Pour cream and egg yolk into potato mixture; mix to combine. Season with salt to taste.
• Place small piece of potato skin inside the bottom of each larger potato shell. Fill each potato with an equal amount of cheese mixture. Gently press the surface of the filling with a fork to create texture. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake stuffed potatoes until golden brown on top, 20 to 30 minutes.