Pommes Fondantes Food

FONDANT POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Cut off ends of russet potatoes, stand potatoes on end, and peel potatoes from top to bottom with a sharp knife to make each potato into a uniform cylinder. Cut each cylinder in half crosswise to make 6 potato cylinders about 2 inches long.
• Place potatoes into a bowl of cold water for about 5 minutes to remove starch from outsides; pat dry with paper towels.
• Place a heavy oven-proof skillet (such as a cast iron skillet) over high heat. Pour in vegetable oil; heat oil until it shimmers slightly.
• Place potato cylinders with best-looking ends into the hot oil, lower heat to medium-high, and pan-fry potatoes until well-browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Flip the potatoes onto the opposite ends. As they cook, use a paper towel held with tongs to carefully blot out the oil from the skillet. Add butter and thyme sprigs to skillet.
• Pick up a thyme sprig with tongs and use it to paint butter over the top of the potatoes. Cook until butter foams and foam turns from white to a pale tan color. Season with more salt and pepper. Pour chicken stock into skillet.
• Transfer skillet to preheated oven and cook until potatoes are tender and creamy inside, about 30 minutes. If potatoes aren't tender, add 1/4 cup more stock and let cook 10 more minutes.
• Place potatoes on a serving platter and spoon thyme-scented butter remaining in skillet over potatoes. Garnish with thyme sprigs. Let cool about 5 minutes before serving.

JACQUES PEPIN'S POTATOES FONDANTES

Steps:

• Trim the potatoes of any eyes or damaged areas and wash well in cold water.
• Arrange as many potatoes as will fit in one layer in a 10-inch nonstick skillet (there should be a little room to spare; save any extra potatoes for another use).
• Add the rosemary, broth, oil, butter and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan but leave the lid a tad ajar, and boil until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. The liquid should still halfway surround the potatoes; if it doesn't, add more broth or water until it does.
• Remove the pan from the heat and press on each potato with a fork or 1/4-cup measure just until it cracks open. (do not press too hard) Set the pan over medium-high heat and cook, uncovered, until all the liquid has evaporated and the potatoes have browned on one side, about 10 minutes.
• Gently turn the potatoes and brown the other side, another 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let the potatoes rest for 5 minutes before transferring them to a serving platter.
• Sprinkle with the chives and serve immediately, passing the fleur de sel so diners can sprinkle some on if they want.

POMMES FONDANTES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 220c or 400f.
• Cut potatoes in sections and then "turn" into barrel shapes 5cm (2inches) in length. Allow 3 per person.
• Stand potato barrels in a deep tray and add sufficent stock to come half way up the potatoes.
• Brush well with melted butter and season.
• Place in oven and cook until potatoes are golden brown on top and stock is almost completely reduced. Baste frequently with stock in the pan and brush with melted butter to build up a nice gloss.
• Serve sprinkled with the chopped parsley.

POMMES DE TERRE FONDANTES

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a kettle and add water to cover and salt. Bring to the boil and cook about 3 minutes. Drain.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan large enough to hold the potatoes in one layer. Add the potatoes. Cover and cook, turning often, until potatoes are golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
• Pour off the fat and add the broth. Cover closely and cook over moderately low heat about 10 minutes. Add the butter and stir. Uncover the potatoes and cook until all the liquid is evaporated from the saucepan.