Showing posts with label potatoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label potatoes. Show all posts

Monday, October 18, 2010

Baked Potatoes with Sauteed Spinach, Leeks & Sour Cream


This is my prized creation of the week.  Unbelievably delicious!  Here's what happened: I was feeling a little under the weather, a little chilled due to the rain and the admittance that fall is in fact here.  In my box, I found four Russet potatoes and began to get that reminiscent feeling of how comforting a baked potato can be.  But baked potatoes can be dry.  I am determined to banish my kitchen of dry tasting foods.  I peeked into my fridge and remembered that I had purchased my favorite condiment earlier in the week: sour cream.  I knew I couldn't use sour cream alone though; my baked potato would be delicious, but not that nutritious.  So I dug further into my box and came up with this: I would attempt an alternative spinach dip to top my potato.  I started by sauteing leeks, one of my very favorite fall vegetables.  As they began to brown, I washed a giant bunch of spinach and tossed it on top.  Spinach always amazes me - the amount you start with hardly compares to what you end up with.  Nevertheless, I wilted the spinach down, seasoned them both with s&p and brought them off the stove to cool.  When my potatoes finished baking, that is when the magic began.  I cut the steaming potato open and in a bowl I quickly whipped a couple tablespoons of sour cream with two heaping scoops of spinach and leeks.  It resembled spinach dip and I dolloped it straight into the potato.  Absolute heaven.  Creamy, delicious, nutritious and ......comforting. 

Make it again?  Ha ha...I had the remaining potatoes with topping for breakfast and dinner the next day.  Do I still need to say yes?  This goes straight to the top of my fall rotation.  

Improvements?  Possible addition of artichoke hearts into the saute mixture.  Any other leafy green could most likely be substituted for the spinach as well.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Herbs de Provence, Turnips & Potatoes


Williams-Sonoma released some amazing spice and salt blends this season.  The first one I picked up to try was their Herbs de Provence Sea Salt.  Just opening the jar releases this powerful, earthy scent.  The rosemary hits your nose first and you can imagine how woodsy and delicious your meal is going to be once it is sprinkled with this goodness.  When my veggie box arrived this week, I quickly searched for a palette to host these spices.  Turnips and potatoes became my canvas.  After cleaning and cubing them, I scattered them onto a baking sheet.  A good olive oil, my new seasoning, and a high roasting temperature all came into play.  After a solid roasting period (about 40 minutes), they came out beautifully caramelized and smelling heavenly.  

Make them again?  Roasted paired with this seasoning produces the ultimate in comfort for the fall season.  I discovered a bonus in adding the turnips, where I usually just roast potatoes.  Turnips are slightly sweet and they added a subtle tang to this dish that I really liked.  

Improvements?  I am excited to make this same dish again soon - and see if there are additional root vegetables I can add to the mix.  Roasting brings out the flavor of root vegetables so well ;)  And who knows?  I may have to make a trip back to good 'ol WS to try another one of their seasoning blends.....