Jacques Pepins Potatoes Fondantes Recipes

JACQUES PéPIN'S POTATOES FONDANTES

Steps:

• A nonstick skillet is crucial so the potatoes don't stick to the pan as the liquid evaporates
• Trim the potatoes of any eyes or damaged areas and wash well in cold water
• Arrange as many potatoes as will fit in one layer in a 10-inch nonstick skillet (there should be a little room to spare; save any extra potatoes for another use)
• Add the rosemary, broth, oil, butter, and salt
• Bring to a boil over high heat
• Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan but leave the lid a tad ajar, and boil until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes
• The liquid should still halfway surround the potatoes; if it doesn't, add more broth or water until it does
• Remove the pan from the heat and press on each potato with a 1/4-cup measure just until it cracks open
• Set the pan over medium-high heat and cook, uncovered, until all the liquid has evaporated and the potatoes have browned on one side, about 10 minutes
• Gently turn the potatoes and brown the other side, another 4 to 5 minutes
• Press firmly on the potatoes to crack them; this helps them absorb more broth and ensures a creamy, moist interior
• Then continue boiling, but now uncovered
• After the broth has completely reduced, let the potatoes sizzle in the skillet until their bottoms are deliciously browned
• Turn to brown the other side and then serve while hot
• Remove the pan from the heat and let the potatoes rest for 5 minutes before transferring them to a serving platter
• Sprinkle with the chives and serve immediately, passing the fleur de sel so diners can sprinkle some on if they want

JACQUES PEPIN'S POTATOES FONDANTES

Steps:

• Trim the potatoes of any eyes or damaged areas and wash well in cold water.
• Arrange as many potatoes as will fit in one layer in a 10-inch nonstick skillet (there should be a little room to spare; save any extra potatoes for another use).
• Add the rosemary, broth, oil, butter and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan but leave the lid a tad ajar, and boil until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. The liquid should still halfway surround the potatoes; if it doesn't, add more broth or water until it does.
• Remove the pan from the heat and press on each potato with a fork or 1/4-cup measure just until it cracks open. (do not press too hard) Set the pan over medium-high heat and cook, uncovered, until all the liquid has evaporated and the potatoes have browned on one side, about 10 minutes.
• Gently turn the potatoes and brown the other side, another 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let the potatoes rest for 5 minutes before transferring them to a serving platter.
• Sprinkle with the chives and serve immediately, passing the fleur de sel so diners can sprinkle some on if they want.

JACQUES'S FRENCH POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Scrub the potatoes and put them, whole, in a saucepan with water to cover by 1/2 inch. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat, and cook the potatoes gently until they are just tender and can be pierced with a sharp knife. Drain immediately and let cool slightly. (Scrape the skin from the cooked potatoes, if you want, as soon as they can be handled. For a decorative look with fingerlings, scrape off only a band of skin, about 1/2 inch thick, all around the long sides of the potato.)
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a small saute pan. When hot, add the scallions and the onion, toss to coat well, and cook for about a minute over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, toss to mix, and cook for just a few moments, then remove the pan from the heat.
• Slice the potatoes while still warm, cutting them crosswise into 1/2-inch sections. Put the pieces in a large mixing bowl, pour the wine and 3 or 4 tablespoons of olive oil over them, and toss gently to distribute. Add the warm vegetables from the pan, mustard, chives, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper, and gently fold all together, mixing well but not crushing the potatoes. Taste the salad and add more seasonings as you like.
• Serve the potatoes warm (no colder than room temperature). Arrange the large radicchio leaves, if you have them, in a close circle on the serving platter, with their curved insides up, to form a rough bowl. Spoon the potato salad inside the leaves, sprinkle chopped egg around the edges, and parsley over the top.

YUKON GOLD POTATOES: JACQUES PEPIN STYLE

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a deep skillet and add salt and pepper, to taste. Cover potatoes halfway with chicken stock, about 3 cups, add the butter and cover skillet with a lid. Cook the potatoes in the stock until almost tender, about 5 to 8 minutes, depending upon the size of the potatoes. Remove the lid and allow the stock to evaporate, about another 5 minutes. Once the stock has evaporated pop each potato using a ladle or large spoon, creating a small crack in each, but do not smash. Allow the potatoes to brown on each side, another 5 minutes, and re-season with salt and pepper, if necessary or desired. Remove the browned potatoes from the skillet and place onto a serving platter, garnished with the parsley.

YUKON GOLD POTATOES: JACQUES PEPIN STYLE

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a deep skillet and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Cover potatoes half way with chicken stock, about 3 cups, add the butter and cover skillet with lid.
• Cook the potatoes in the stock until almost tender, about 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes.
• Remove the lid and allow the stock to evaporate, about another 5 minutes.
• Once the stock has evaporated pop each potato using a ladle or large spoon, creating a small crack in each, but do not smash.
• Allow the potatoes to brown on each side and reseason with salt and pepper if desired.
• Remove potatoes to serving platter and garnish with parsley.

FONDANT POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Cut off ends of russet potatoes, stand potatoes on end, and peel potatoes from top to bottom with a sharp knife to make each potato into a uniform cylinder. Cut each cylinder in half crosswise to make 6 potato cylinders about 2 inches long.
• Place potatoes into a bowl of cold water for about 5 minutes to remove starch from outsides; pat dry with paper towels.
• Place a heavy oven-proof skillet (such as a cast iron skillet) over high heat. Pour in vegetable oil; heat oil until it shimmers slightly.
• Place potato cylinders with best-looking ends into the hot oil, lower heat to medium-high, and pan-fry potatoes until well-browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Flip the potatoes onto the opposite ends. As they cook, use a paper towel held with tongs to carefully blot out the oil from the skillet. Add butter and thyme sprigs to skillet.
• Pick up a thyme sprig with tongs and use it to paint butter over the top of the potatoes. Cook until butter foams and foam turns from white to a pale tan color. Season with more salt and pepper. Pour chicken stock into skillet.
• Transfer skillet to preheated oven and cook until potatoes are tender and creamy inside, about 30 minutes. If potatoes aren't tender, add 1/4 cup more stock and let cook 10 more minutes.
• Place potatoes on a serving platter and spoon thyme-scented butter remaining in skillet over potatoes. Garnish with thyme sprigs. Let cool about 5 minutes before serving.

POTATO FONDANTES WITH OREGANO

Steps:

• Do not peel the potatoes, but remove any eyes and dark spots. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and arrange them cut-side down in one layer in a large (preferably 10-inch) nonstick skillet.
• Add 1 1/2 cups water, butter, oil, oregano and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, and cover. Reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes. (At this point, the water should be gone and the potatoes should be browning nicely in the butter and oil.)
• Turn the potatoes over and saute them for 2 to 3 minutes to brown them lightly on the other side. Serve with the chicken.