TIP OF THE DAY: Hasselback Potatoes
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The potato recipe that wins the award for “simple and elegant” is Hasselback potatoes. Simply by making a series of deep parallel cuts along the top of the potatoes, they open into this visually arresting fan. They are also called accordion potatoes or pillbug potatoes (because the segments resemble the shell of the pillbug—yuck!).
While they look fancy-frilly, they take little extra time over a standard baked potato: All you need are good potatoes and a sharp knife. Then, just slice, brush with butter and bake. The cooked potatoes have the crispy edges of French fries, and the soft, creamy middle of mashed potatoes. The thinner the slices, the better the end result. The recipe was created at the famous Hasselbacken (“Hazel Hill”) restaurant in Stockholm’s Hasselbacken Hotel, an elegant edifice that opened in 1748. They are a favorite dish in Sweden, enjoyed for breakfast, appetizers, lunch and dinner sides, and snacks. The skin of the potatoes is usually kept on. |
Hasselback potatoes. Photo courtesy The Kitchn | Apartment Therapy. See their step-by-step recipe preparation. |
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RECIPE: HASSELBACK POTATOES Ingredients |
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 Baking beauties. Photo courtesy The Kitchn | Apartment Therapy. |
Preparation
1. PREHEAT oven to 450°F. If you decide to peel the potatoes, place them in a bowl of cold water to prevent discoloration. 2. SLICE a bit off the bottom of each potato so that it can “sit” in the pan. Insert a thin skewer parallel, 75% of the way to the bottom of the sitting potato. This prevents the knife going all the way to the bottom, so all the slices remain connected, and enables you to make very thin vertical cuts. This requires careful knife work but is not difficult. 3. PLACE the potatoes in a baking dish and brush with butter; sprinkle with salt and pepper. 4. PLACE in the oven and bake 30-40 minutes until done, brushing the potatoes with butter halfway through. |
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Variations
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