Russet Potato Fan Recipes

CHEESE & HERB POTATO FANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. With a sharp knife, cut each potato crosswise into 1/8-in. slices, leaving slices attached at the bottom; fan potatoes slightly and place in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. In a small bowl, mix butter, salt and pepper; drizzle over potatoes., Bake, uncovered, 50-55 minutes or until potatoes are tender. In a small bowl, toss cheeses with herbs; sprinkle over potatoes. Bake about 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

CRISPY BAKED POTATO FANS

Steps:

• You can use one slice of bread in place of the bread crumbs. Chop up and place in food processor, pulse until you get fine crumbles. Bake on cookie sheet in 200° degree oven until dry, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
• Place bread crumbs in medium-sized bowl and add butter, cheeses, paprika, garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoons pepper. Mix well.
• Bread crumb mixture can be refrigerated for 2 days in zipper-lock bag.
• For the potato fans, heat oven to 450° degrees. After potatoes have been scrubbed, find flattest part of potato and cut skin off slightly so potato doesn't rock. Cut both ends off about 1/4" or so. Then proceed to fan potato, making 1/4" slices. Use something on either side of potato (dow rod or chop sticks) so that you don't cut all the way through. You should have a bit more than a 1/4" left at the bottom. Once all are cut (very important part), rinse through running water getting gently in-between the slices. Let drain and then place sliced-side down on microwavable plate. Microwave until slightly soft to touch, 6-12 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through.
• Arrange potatoes, sliced-side up, on foil-lined baking sheet. Brush potatoes with olive oil all over and try to get in-between some of the slices, season with salt and pepper. Bake until skin is crisp and potatoes start to brown, about 25-30 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let sit for about 5 minutes. Carefully top potatoes with bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Try to get a bit in-between slices, but don't push too hard or they will separate too much. Broil until bread crumbs are deep golden brown, about 3 minutes. Serve warm.
• NOTE: You can substitute the Monterey Jack for Cheddar or another semi-firm cheese. The Parmesan helps bind the bread crumbs.

ARMENIAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Transfer sliced potatoes into a large pot with enough cold water to cover the potatoes by a couple of inches. Stir in 1 rounded tablespoon kosher salt and 2 ½ teaspoons dried mint. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and let cook until tender, about 15 minutes, checking every 5 to 6 minutes for doneness. Drain well.
• Transfer cooked potatoes to a large mixing bowl and let cool slightly.
• While potatoes cool, heat ¼ cup olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add red onion, red bell pepper, garlic, and a pinch of salt; cook and stir for just 1 minute. Turn off the heat and stir in remaining dried mint.
• Drizzle freshly squeezed lemon juice into potatoes and toss gently with a spatula. Add green onions, red onion mixture, remaining olive oil, fresh mint, fresh parsley, salt to taste, black pepper, chili flakes, and cayenne. Mix with a spatula until combined.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled and flavors have melded, 3 to 4 hours.
• Unwrap; stir, taste, and adjust seasonings as needed to personal tastes. The salad almost always needs more salt stirred in once it's tasted after being chilled. Serve.