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Thursday, May 20, 2010

A Foodie Friday Playdate!


Aaahhhhh....Foodie Friday.....our favorite day of the week!

Come join us and our favorite hostess Michael Lee as we all get our foodie fix for the week!

This has been a very hectic two weeks- truly chaotic. So I decided it was time for a play date. Now, when I said this my husband got THAT look on his face- you know the look- a BIG grin....

Sorry, honey- not THAT kind of play date!

When you're a food blogger AND have Italian blood in your veins, your toys look like this


Sexy, right? 

And to really put a smile on your face, you throw in some of this


And then you (AND your poor deprived hubby) swoon when you bite into this


 and these


and these

 

And if you don't really care so much if they look really pretty, you let them crisp for an extra minute or two till they look like this


and you swoon some more. 

And the ones that actually make it out of the kitchen get stacked on a platter and brought to your favorite chair where you're browsing all the Foodie Friday blogs....


Enjoy!


This is my version of a recipe I've used for some years. Chef Charlie Palmer served his original version in his New York restaurants, Aureole and Periyali as a side dish for seared venison. The original was made with paper thin slices of whole potato- those need to be done with a mandolin that has a VERY thin setting or a slicing machine set almost to "shave". If you don't have a slicer or mandolin, do them this way- they are great served on an appetizer platter, as a side for grilled meats, or as a snack on a "play day" :)



Pattie's Appetizer Herb Potato Maximes
adapted from a Charles Palmer recipe

2 sticks of butter, clarified (important- you want nothing clouding the image of the herbs)
Fresh herbs- I used thin chives cut into 1 1/2- 2 inch lengths, tarragon leaves, oregano, and the very tips of some curly parsley. You can also use chervil, sage, basil, etc..
2 fairly large potatoes- try to get evenly shaped ovals with no blemishes
salt

Have the herbs, washed, dried and trimmed- ready to use before you begin. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and brush a rimmed cookie sheet with some clarified butter. Peel the potatoes, trim to a neat oval if necessary, wash and dry well. Using a vegetable peeler, shave off long, paper thin slices, trying to keep them evenly sized- you need 2 slices for each. You need to work fairly quickly here to avoid the potatoes darkening. Lay half the potato slices on the baking sheet (not touching). Arrange leaves, pieces of herbs, and chives on potato slices as desired, leaving a narrow border. Lay a second slice on top, and press down, smoothing out to edges. Brush again lightly with clarified butter, sprinkle with salt and bake for 10 minutes till just lightly golden. Remove from oven, slide a thin spatula under each one and flip over onto a rack to drain- the best designs are generally seen from the "bottom side. The aroma will be amazing right now! Serve at room temperature. If desired, you can leave them in the oven an extra minute or two to crisp- they won't look quite as nice (a little browner) but oh so good!




As Always,

Buon Cibo, Buon Amici,

Pattie and Allie

31 comments:

  1. I did a similar version of these years and years ago after seeing them on Martha Stewart's show... used Italian Parsley. They were a hit!

    :)
    ButterYum

    PS - aren't those oxo peelers the best? I've purchased them to give to friends after I've discovered their substandard peelers. I usually take one to my MILs house during the holidays too.

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  2. LOL - that's too funny! Yep, they're the best!

    My daughter made cookies at a friends house one time and she came home in complete disbelief over the condition of the baking equipment at her friend's house... the mis-matched measuring spoons, and semi-melted plastic measure cups, and the lowly black flimsy crusty warped cookie sheet, and no cookie scoop to portion the cookie dough. Haha.. .you'd have thought she went to a 3rd world country for the day. Now she realizes why I like to take good care of my kitchen items!

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  3. Oh, these look so good and I would love some. Sounds like my DH's kind of play date. He likes to eat. lol Great recipe, I will have to try it. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Well these look fabulous! What a fun idea, thanks for sharing!

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  5. Pattie, This is "beauty food". Almost too pretty to eat. But I can just taste the buttery potato with aromatic herbs in my mind. So crunch, crunch... I say, Food before beauty!
    Yvonne

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  6. Oh YUM!! I have a long set of serving dishes just right for these! thanks

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  7. Pattie, this is amazing! You always do such a great job with your presentation. Loved this!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  8. Oh my gosh, they're so beautiful! I love it! Really, a work of art! Bravo!

    And I love your opening to the post - very cute! wink wink! haha

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  9. Pattie, The presentation is so pretty, they look delicious, too! Can't wait to share this with Tony...I know he'll love them :)
    Wendy

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  10. Oh, what an addictive looking litle finder food! LOL Like THAT is really something I need! But, this great timing with all our herbs growing at max speed these days!

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  11. My DH wouldn't appreciate the food date as much, either. Those potatoes are almost too pretty to eat...almost. I bet they were wonderful.

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  12. Pattie, these look delicious! I'm so happy to have the recipe. I've actually had them at Aureole.

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  13. A sweet hello from Frog Hollow Farm. This looks like a delicious recipe to make for an aperitivo - I was really into it during the winter but now with the warmer weather I'm busy outside. Nevertheless, I will definitely give this a try. I popped over from Designs by Gollum! Ciao, bella!

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  14. The presentation looks AWESOME!!! and I like the idea.
    Geri

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  15. I know I could eat a million of these, Pattie! It is a good thing I can't reach into my computer screen and take them all!
    ♥ Pat

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  16. Pattie and Allie: That IS playing in the kitchen...we could have some fun with that. Joni

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  17. Oh yum!!! Edible art! My favourite kind! xxoo

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  18. They look amazing, but really I expect nothing less when I come over here.

    Warm wishes 2 U both!

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  19. So glad to find your blog. Love food so I'll be back very soon. Have a great weekend.

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  20. Love it......how fun! Can't wait to make them:)

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  21. I love these! I have made something similar before but I love your mix of herbs. Things have been crazy busy here and my poor husband hasn't had anything so nice in a while ;)

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  22. These look amazing.......can't wait to make them. thanks for sharing . :-) They look like fun, you always have interesting things on your blog.

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  23. What a fantastic recipe. I'm off to see just how thin my mandolin will slice potatoes. I know I'm going to love these, Pattie. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  24. That is hilarious! You must be going crazy with end of school-year activities and you are in the kitchen!

    My poor sister just called saying her body is aching from all the activities and events as the year is ending. You are amazing and the dish is beautifully refreshing looking.

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  25. Pattie, You are my ever faithful blogging commenter. I always appreciate you being my cheer leader. Now Allie really does have pom-poms so I know you and she are always there reading my blog and leaving a comment, I so appreciate you!! Hugs Kathysue
    PS ran into another gliche on the chair but by golly I am determined to get it done!!!

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  26. I have never seen potatoes made this way...it is pure genius..and I'm sure the taste is to die for!!!
    thanks so much for posting this great recipe!
    Cheers
    Dennis

    ps thanks for all your kind words on my blog!! I truly appreciate your comments

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  27. this is wonderful! what a work of art...and i'm sure i'd not stop at just one!

    thanks for sharing...i'll have to try it out sometime!

    ciao bella
    stop in anytime...we'll have coffee!

    creative carmelina

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  28. What a beautiful way to use postatoes...one of my favorite foods. Your presentation is so lovely, Pattie. I can't wait to make these for my family. I know they'll be impressed.

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  29. I like them crunchy..they still look pretty to me..Reminds me of tatooed potatoes..
    They look wonderful!

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  30. Ohhhhhh, yummmmmmmm.
    And very sexy kitchen toys ;)

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