Smashed Taters
This recipe may not be the most original or ground-breaking….but it’s damn good & I can guarantee you’re gonna love it. Y’all know I love using my Mamaw’s cast iron skillet – and this recipe is perfect for it!
Soft & buttery, but crisp & charred potatoes are the perfect side for any summer dish!
I dreamed up this recipe with my Dan-O’s campaign back in March. Their “original” seasoning works REALLY well with so many things & these Smashed Taters are no exception!
Using the cast iron on the grill while you’re cooking other veggies or proteins is such an easy decision to make during the summer. No need to heat up your kitchen & everything can be done on the grill for minimal cleanup!
maybe I’m sorry.
I’m sure I’ve just about “Mis En Place” -ed y’all to death as of late. I’ve been having quite the brainstorm lately of summer recipes & unfortunately, I’ve played myself. I know & realize summer is supposed to be about simple, but delicious recipes. I haven’t exactly dropped the ball, but damn if I don’t give y’all an easy banger every once in awhile. I’ve been seeing that meme about bloggers bragging about their “simple recipes” and people are mad as hell when the first step is “cut an onion” – I GET IT, DAMN.
So, I decided this would be a good week to post a quick & easy-ass recipe, but still a super tasty one! This recipe is quick enough for a weeknight & yummy enough for a weekend or even a cookout! Summer is definitely upon us. The days are definitely longer. The grill is definitely calling. The need to sit outside with an alcoholic beverage is definitely needed.
set up for success.
The use of the microwave to get these lil taters nice & soft before smashing them and then charring them is key. Don’t you even dare think of skipping this step. Well, for many reasons. Because your taters won’t be soft so you cant smash them & because raw potatoes would take FOREVER to cook no matter what you do to them!
My 3 step process for Smashed Taters will leave you wanting to make more & more – get creative! If you don’t have a cast iron or even a grill, the oven will work just fine – just be sure to flip the potatoes and keep an eye on them since they would be out of view in the oven. If you want a spicy lil tater, add some cayenne or chili powder. Bump up the freshness & add a squeeze of lemon juice with the olive oil! Go Buck Wild!
Ingredients
· 1 LB baby red potatoes
· 1 LB baby yellow potatoes
· 4 TBS olive oil
· 3 TBS Dan-O’s OG seasoning
· 1 TSP garlic powder
· 1 TSP salt
· 1 TSP cumin
· 1 TBS coconut oil
Instructions, 2
Scrub clean your lil poes.
Cut away any eyes or growths in your potatoes.
Prick them with a fork & place them in a Pyrex dish.
Pour in about ¼ cup of water in the bottom of the Pyrex dish.
Cover with plastic wrap & leave about a 1” gap on the end – this will help steam the potatoes perfectly & so your microwave won’t blow up.
Microwave the potatoes for 5 minutes & FLIP them over with tongs – microwave for another 5.
((Our microwave is 1000 watts – if your microwave is 800 or 1200 watts, then add / subtract a minute accordingly – you want these taters to be soft, but not be super mushy and / or fall apart!))
Remove the Pyrex dish from the microwave & let it sit for a minute – don’t burn yourself, shit.
Mix together your spices & seasonings – have them ready.
Pour out your olive oil & have a basting brush ready as well.
Line a baking sheet with tin foil & have whatever smasher (pictured) you are choosing to use for this next step.
((I used a small, metal mixing bowl for my smashing. It’s easy to use, easy to clean & gave me the even effect of smashing each tater down gently))
Instructions, 2
Using tongs as to not burn yourself and transfer each poe to the lined baking sheet.
Using your selected gadget-smasher, gently press down directly on top of each tater.
This will smash the tater flat while still giving it the circumference to hold all the goodness you are about to bestow upon it.
Repeat until each tater is fully smashed.
Next, brush each side of each tater with olive oil. Don’t drown the damn things, just lightly brush with enough oil that spices will easily stick to it.
Sprinkle each tater generously with your seasoning mixture – flip each poe over and repeat until all potatoes are covered & seasoned to perfection.
Using a large cast iron skillet, melt 1 TBS of coconut oil – this oil is perfect for charring / grilling / high heat. It is basically tasteless & will help deliver that perfect char to your Smashed Taters.
Heat your skillet for about 2 minutes on medium-high heat – the coconut oil should be melted & glistening – maybe even smoking a bit.
Place your taters in a single layer in your cast iron skillet.
Char for about 2 minutes on each side – flip as many times as your want to achieve whatever doneness you want on your smashed taters!
Serve immediately with whatever condiments your heart desires. We love regular old Ketchup & I love PFranks sauce #IYKYK
We served our Smashed Taters alongside a grilled Romaine Caesar Salad & a hearty ribeye. Enjoy!
potatoes are love
I believe love can be shown in many forms. For many people in my life, that love is potatoes. Mashed, fried, baked or grilled – this recipe almost incorporates every way to possible serve a potato ;) coincidence?! I think not! Seriously though, food in itself and the preparation of food is a universal way to show people we care about them. Make it tasty & easy, then that’s a whole ‘nother level of love! I guarantee this recipe is such an easy way to not only enjoy time with your loved ones (because the prep & cook is so minimal) but it’s a different take on potatoes rather than frozen French fries, whipped mashed potatoes or roasted in the oven – these Smashed Taters are delicious in every bite & the seasoning is so unexpectedly good! No need for butter or sour cream – although I doubt a dab of either one would hurt. Make love & potatoes y’all – enjoy summer!
Thanks for stopping by!
I appreciate you stopping by! If you loved it, I’d love to hear from you.
If you hated it, then same.
Have a great day & look for my next entry!
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