Romesco Topped Potato Bites Food

MOLTEN MASHED POTATO BITES

Steps:

• Divide the gravy among 8 compartments of an ice cube tray (a silicone one is easiest for removal). Freeze until solid, at least 3 hours or overnight. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• For the mashed potatoes: Put the potatoes into a medium saucepan, cover with cold water and season with salt. Bring the water to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and mash them or put them through a ricer while still hot. Add the butter and cream; stir until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Shape the potatoes into 8 balls and put on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Pop the frozen gravy cubes out of the tay. Flatten a mashed potato ball in the palm of your hand and press a gravy cube in the center. Press the potatoes around the gravy to encase it completely and reshape into a ball. Repeat with the remaining gravy and potatoes.
• Spread the flour in a shallow bowl. Add the eggs to a second shallow bowl and beat with a pinch of salt. Spread the stuffing crumbs in a third bowl. Roll each ball in the flour, then the egg, then the stuffing crumbs. Return to the baking sheet and refrigerate to firm up while you heat the oil, about 15 minutes.
• Heat 2 inches of oil in a Dutch oven to 325 degrees F. Fry the croquettes in 2 batches, until deep golden brown, about 7 minutes per batch, letting the oil return to temperature in between batches. Drain on paper towels. Season with salt and serve hot.

ROASTED BABY POTATOES WITH ROMESCO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread almonds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven until lightly golden and fragrant, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roast red peppers over a gas burner until blistered and charred, turning as each section blackens. (Alternatively, roast peppers on a baking sheet under the broiler.) Transfer to a large bowl, and cover tightly with plastic wrap; let steam about 15 minutes. Using paper towels, peel off blackened skins; remove and discard stems and seeds.
• Raise oven to 375 degrees. In a food processor, combine almonds, garlic, roasted red peppers, 3/4 teaspoon salt, paprika, mint, and vinegar. Process to a coarse paste, about 1 minute. With machine running, add 1 tablespoon oil in a slow, steady stream until sauce is smooth. Transfer sauce to a small bowl, and set aside.
• Place potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet, and toss with remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Roast in oven until skins are slightly crisp and potatoes are tender, shaking pan once to turn potatoes, 20 to 30 minutes. Serve hot with sauce on the side.

ROMESCO POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Place the potatoes in a roasting pan and toss well with 2 tablespoons olive oil, the garlic, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, and a heaping teaspoon salt. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and roast the potatoes about 50 minutes, until tender when pierced (the time will really depend on size, age, and variety of potatoes). When the potatoes have cooled, reserve the garlic, discard the bay and thyme, and crumble the potatoes into chunky pieces with your hands. Squeeze the garlic out of its skin and set aside.
• Heat a large sauté pan over high heat for 2 minutes. (To get the potatoes nicely browned and crisp, don't overcrowd them. You may have to use two pans or brown them in batches.) Pour in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, turn the heat to medium-high, and wait 1 minute more. Add the crumbled potatoes, and season with the thyme leaves, salt, and pepper. Sauté the potatoes 6 to 8 minutes until they are crispy on one side. (Don't try to move them or turn them if they are stuck to the pan; they will eventually release themselves-just be patient.) After they've browned nicely on the first side, turn them to let them color on all sides. Once they're nicely browned on all sides, spoon the romesco and reserved garlic into the hot potatoes. Toss and stir to coat them well. Taste for seasoning. Toss in the parsley. Or, if you're not ready to serve the dish yet, turn off the heat and leave the potatoes in the pan; then, just before serving, reheat for a few minutes and toss in the parsley at the last moment.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Remove and discard the stems and seeds from the chiles, and then soak them in warm water for 15 minutes to soften. Strain the chiles, and pat dry with paper towels.
• Meanwhile, spread the nuts on a baking sheet and toast for 8 to 10 minutes, until they smell nutty and are golden brown.
• Heat a large sauté pan over high heat for 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and wait a minute. Fry the slice of bread on both sides until golden brown. Remove the bread from the pan and cool. Cut it into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
• Return the pan to the stove over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the chiles and sauté for a minute or two. Add the tomatoes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until the tomato juices have evaporated and the tomato starts to color slightly. Turn off the heat, and leave the mixture in the pan.
• In a food processor, pulse together the toasted nuts, garlic, and fried bread until the bread and nuts are coarsely ground. Add the chile-tomato mixture, and process for 1 minute more.
• With the machine running, slowly pour in the remaining 1 cup olive oil and process until you have a smooth purée. Don't worry, the romesco will "break" or separate into solids and oil; this is normal. Add the parsley, and season to taste with lemon juice, sherry vinegar, and more salt if you like.

SHRIVELED POTATOES WITH ROMESCO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast almonds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet until lightly golden and fragrant, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
• Meanwhile, roast red peppers directly over a gas burner flame until blistered and charred, turning with tongs as each section blackens. (Alternatively, broil peppers on a baking sheet.) Transfer peppers to a large bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap; let steam about 15 minutes. Using paper towels, peel off blackened skins; remove and discard stems and seeds.
• Lower oven to 325 degrees. In a food processor, pulse almonds, roasted red peppers, pimenton, mint, vinegar, garlic, and 3/4 teaspoon salt to a coarse paste, about 1 minute. With machine running, add 1 tablespoon oil in a slow, steady stream through the feed tube until smooth. Transfer to a bowl.
• Place potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Roast in oven (without moving potatoes on the pan) until skins are slightly crisp and potatoes are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Serve potatoes warm or at room temperature, with sauce on the side.