Now we all know the concept of the student beating the master and I don’t want to imply that my friend Diana was ever my student or that I was ever her master (though I was her roommate, which is kind of the same thing with me); what I’d like to imply, however, is that Diana–who was a timid cook when I lived with her–is now giving me a run for my money. I remember her not wanting to make a salad in front of me, back then, because she thought I’d be judgmental. Since then, and since moving in with her husband, she’s had a chance to hone her chops and by all accounts her chops are very good. Case in point: check out her potatoes.
A few weeks ago, Diana served up a dinner of flank steak with chimichurri sauce, an excellent pairing indeed. But the real star of the show was a side of roasted potatoes that seemed familiar enough until I bit in. There was the requisite crunch you expect from a roasted potato but then there was also a beguiling sweetness and creaminess.
“Why are these so good?” I demanded.
“Because I coated them with butter before I roasted them.”
“You WHAT?”
“I got some really good Kerrygold butter” (note: that’s the kind the Canal House ladies use too) “melted it and coated the potatoes in it before sticking them in the hot oven.”
People, the student has indeed beaten the master or, rather, the roommate has beaten the roommate. These are some killer potatoes. It’s such a simple idea but makes such a huge impact.
So follow Diana’s lead, next time you make potatoes: get a cookie sheet, cut red potatoes in half, add them to the sheet and coat them in about 3 tablespoons of melted Kerrygold butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and pop into a 425 oven until they’re golden brown all over and a knife goes through one easily.
Next thing I know, she’s going to start a food blog and you’re all going to read that instead of mine. We started as “Will & Grace” and ended up “All About Eve.”
Her chimichurri sauce looks better than mine too. Can we get that recipe as well?
Sure, I’ll ask her to answer you in the comments!
Thanks. Volatility has dramatically decreased since the start of 2012. View: QE http://ow.ly/mm5nw
Was going to roast some new potatoes tonight; I read this just in time!! Thank you!
Hi Janice! The recipe I used is Ted Allen’s Roasted Jalapeno Chimichurri. It’s a cinch to make:
1. Char 2 jalapenos over the gas burner of your stove, or stick them under the broiler, until they’re black all over (should take 5 minutes or so). Let them cool, then remove the skin and seeds.
2. In a food processor or blender, whiz the jalapenos with 2 cups chopped cilantro leaves, 2 cups chopped parsley leaves, 2 minced cloves of garlic, 3 Tbsp lime juice, 3 Tbsp red wine, 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp olive oil, and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Stop blending when it’s still a little coarse.
3. Taste for salt, and add more olive oil if it’s too astringent. The sauce tastes best if you let it sit for a half hour or so before serving.
Enjoy!
Thank you so much Diana!!!!
Love chimichurri! Thanks for the post. Great idea for dinner tonight.
Heh, just don’t go all the way to “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane”!
I use Kerrygold’s unsalted butter to make ghee at home and it makes the best tasting ghee on the planet.
Woohoo, Kerrygold! Yay for Irish butter. Must try this! (And I agree with Janet- the chimichurri looks amazing)
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