Potatoes Cooked In Bay Infused Milk Food

POTATOES COOKED IN BAY-INFUSED MILK

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large saucepan and throw in the potatoes and some seasoning. Colour gently all over for 10 mins or so.
• When the potatoes are nicely golden, add the bay leaves and milk, making sure potatoes are covered. Gently simmer for 20 mins until the potatoes are cooked through. Turn off the heat and leave to infuse in the milk until ready to serve. Drain and serve.

THE ULTIMATE MAKEOVER: POTATO DAUPHINOISE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Brush the oil over the bottom and sides of a 25 x 19 x 5cm ovenproof dish. Put the milk, garlic, 4 thyme sprigs, bay leaf and shallot into a saucepan. Bring just to the boil, then remove from the heat and add the nutmeg and a little pepper. Set aside to infuse.
• Peel then slice the potatoes very thinly. Pat them dry. Layer half the slices in the dish, overlapping slightly, then season.
• Strain the infused milk into a jug. Put the crème fraîche into a bowl, then gradually pour in the milk, whisking until smooth. Add the stock and thyme leaves. Return this liquid to the jug, then pour half of it over the potatoes in the dish. Layer up the rest of the potatoes, then add remaining liquid, the cheese and a grind of pepper. Sit the dish on a baking sheet and bake for 1¼-1½ hrs until golden and tender - test by inserting a sharp knife through the potatoes. Stand for 5 mins before serving, sprinkled with thyme sprigs.

ROASTED POTATOES WITH BAY LEAVES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Combine oil and bay leaves in small skillet. Cook over medium heat just until warm. Remove from heat. Let stand 15 minutes so that bay leaves flavor oil.
• Toss potatoes with bay leaf oil in large roasting pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until potatoes are brown and tender, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Transfer potatoes to bowl and serve.

EXTRA-BUTTERY MASHED SPUDS

Steps:

• Place 4 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 2" pieces, in a large pot and pour in cold water to cover by 1". Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are very tender but not saturated or crumbly, 20-25 minutes (boiling will lead to waterlogged pieces).
• Drain potatoes, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid if making potatoes ahead. Return potatoes to pot and set over low heat. Gently stir until dry, about 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 1/2 cups whole milk, 3 thyme sprigs, if desired, 2 bay leaves, and 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat.
• Pass hot potatoes through a ricer into a large bowl (if allowed to cool, the potatoes will become gummy).
• Remove herbs from warm milk mixture; discard. Gradually add milk mixture to potatoes, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until combined and smooth; season with salt and pepper.
• Serve mashed potatoes with a few pats of butter on top.