Middle Eastern Potatoes Recipes

SPICY MIDDLE EASTERN ROASTED POTATOES {BATATA HARRA}

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Wash and cut potatoes into 1 inch cubes. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the potatoes and cook for three minutes. Drain in a colander. Return the pot to the stove over a low flame. Add potatoes back to the pot in two batches to cook off any remaining moisture, stirring so the potatoes don't stick. Transfer to a bowl.
• Combine the two oils, 1/2 teaspoon of harissa and ground pepper, and drizzle over the potatoes. Stir gently to coat the potatoes. Line a rimmed baking sheet with tin foil, spread the potatoes in a single layer. Put them in the oven to roast and, after 10 minutes, stir in the garlic, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of harissa, chili flakes, red bell pepper and half of the cilantro.
• Return to the oven for another 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and nicely browned. Stir once halfway through the cooking. Remove the potatoes from the oven and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
• Serve warm or at room temperature, adding the remaining cilantro just before serving.

MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE ROASTED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F / 220°C and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a small bowl, mix together the spices until well combined.
• In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the olive oil and spice mix until potatoes are evenly coated (or you can do this directly on the baking sheet).
• Transfer the potatoes to the baking sheet and spread in an even layer without crowding them. Potatoes roast best if there is some space between them, otherwise they will steam.
• Transfer to the oven and roast for 30 to 35 minutes, or until potatoes are golden brown, stirring once halfway through cooking time.
• Before serving, toss with fresh herbs and re-season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve with a lemon wedges for anyone who likes to add a little extra zing! Enjoy!

ZA'ATAR ROASTED POTATOES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine potatoes and olive oil in a large bowl and mix well. Sprinkle potatoes with za'atar, salt, and pepper; toss to coat. Transfer potatoes to the prepared baking sheet.
• Set baking sheet on the lowest rack of a cold oven and heat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roast until potatoes are golden brown and tender, 30 to 35 minutes, stirring halfway through.

MIDDLE EASTERN GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl; mash until smooth. Set aside to cool.
• Put garlic, salt, and lemon juice in a blender or food processor; pour in enough oil to lightly coat garlic cloves. Blend mixture on high; slowly stream remaining oil through the top opening of the blender or food processor until mixture is smooth. Add mashed potatoes, about 2 to 3 tablespoons at a time, to the garlic mixture while blender is still running. Continue adding potatoes until all are incorporated. Transfer sauce to a bowl and refrigerate until chilled, 1 hour to overnight.

MIDDLE EASTERN SPICED POTATO CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Add the potatoes to a pot and cover with 6 cups water. Season well with salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat and cook the potatoes until easily pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, about 9 minutes. Drain and cool, about 10 minutes. Peel and set aside.
• Combine the granulated garlic, 4 teaspoons salt, the black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, fenugreek, turmeric and nutmeg in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.
• Once cooled, crush the potatoes gently; the texture should be course and crumbly. Place into a bowl.
• Thoroughly combine the egg, scallions, 1/4 cup of the flour and the spice mix in a bowl. Add to the potatoes and stir to combine. Season the remaining flour with 1 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Form the potatoes into 2 1/2-ounce patties. Sprinkle the tops and bottoms with the seasoned flour.
• Set a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat and add 3 tablespoons oil. Once hot, fry the patties, in batches if necessary, on the first side until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip and place into the oven until crispy on both sides and hot through, another 3 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool slightly.
• To serve, arrange the patties on a serving dish. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lemon wedges.

ROASTED NEW POTATOES, MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F Wash the potatoes and cut any larger ones so the pieces are all roughly the same size.
• Put into an ovenproof dish and toss with the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Roast for 30-40 minutes or until golden and brown, shaking the dish halfway through the cooking time.
• Sprinkle with lemon juice and cilantro, toss gently, and serve.

" MIDDLE EASTERN " TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200ºC.
• Wash the potatoes to remove any dirt, pat dry with paper towels.
• Prick the potatoes all over with a fork, brush with olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Place the potatoes on a lightly greased baking tray and bake for about an hour or until cooked through.
• Cool for about 10 minutes.
• While the potatoes are roasting, drain the chickpeas, place in a large mixing bowl and mash with a fork.
• Add the ground coriander, the cumin, the crushed garlic and half the fresh coriander. Cover the bowl with with plastic wrap, and set aside.
• Once they have cooled, taking care to keep the shells intact, halve the cooked potatoes and scoop out the flesh.
• Mash the potato flesh until smooth and gently mix with the chickpea mixture.
• Fold in the yoghurt and tahini, and add a little more of either of these if the mixture seems too dry, season with the pepper and salt, to taste.
• Place the potato shells on a lightly greased baking tray and fill them with the potato and chickpea mixture.
• Place the filled potato shells in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
• Serve the potatoes with the remaining half of the chopped coriander.