Smashed Fingerling Potatoes With Sausage Gravy Food

THE EASIEST CRISPY SMASHED FINGERLING POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Wash the fingerling potatoes well to get rid of any dirt on the outsides.
• Place the potatoes in a large pot, add a generous pinch of salt, and cover with at least 1 inch of water. Bring the pot to a boil on the stove over medium-high heat, and let the potatoes boil for about 15 minutes, until they can easily be pierced with a fork.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the potatoes to a large plate or cutting board lined with paper towels. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently press down on each potato, smashing them into little patties. Aim for about 1/2 - 3/4-inch - you don't want to smash them too thin or you won't get the fluffy insides.
• Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of olive oil onto a large baking sheet and spread evenly to coat the pan. Place the potatoes in a single layer, giving them some room so they will evenly crisp up. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Bake the potatoes for 15 minutes, flip, then bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
• Optional: to make the garlic yogurt dipping sauce, mix together all ingredients in a small bowl.

BANGERS & MASH (SAUSAGE WITH ONION GRAVY)

Steps:

• Cook sausages: Heat oil in a large skillet / fry pan over medium high heat. Add sausages and cook, turning, until browned as much as possible all over and cooked through. Cook time will differ depending on sausage size - mine take around 8 minutes.
• Remove sausages onto a plate. Turn heat down to medium.
• 2 tbsp oil remaining: You need around 2 tbsp oil left in the skillet. If you have much less, add a bit of butter or oil.
• Saute onion and garlic: Add onion and garlic, cook until golden brown - around 4 minutes.
• Cook off flour 2 minutes: Add flour and mix through. Then cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
• Gradually add beef stock: Add about 3/4 cup of beef broth and mix into the onion so it becomes a sludge. Then add remaining beef broth and mix until combined. If it's lumpy, use a whisk to help make it smooth.
• Thicken gravy: Simmer, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes until the gravy thickens but is slightly thinner than you want - it will thicken more as you serve it.
• Season: Add salt and pepper. Stir, taste, then add more salt if you want.
• Serve sausages with plenty of gravy, with mashed potato and peas on the side. (Low carb option - Creamy Cauliflower Mash)

SMASHED FINGERLING POTATOES

Steps:

• Wash/scrub the fingerling potatoes and boil, unpeeled, for 12 minutes. Drain and let cool.
• Take each fingerling between your hands and squash it between your palms. The idea is to beak the skin and flatten the potato, but not to crush it completely; it should still stay intact as much as possible.
• Heat a skillet with ½" to 1" of oil on high heat. When the oil is hot, about 350F, deep-fry each fingerling, turning them over midway when each side is browned. Drain on paper towels.
• In another pan, melt butter and add minced garlic and parsley. Stir briefly over medium heat to release flavors, then toss fingerling potatoes into this mixture.

CRISPY SMASHED FINGERLING POTATOES

Steps:

• Lightly scrub potatoes. In pot of boiling, salted water, cook potatoes until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and let cool.
• On cutting board, and using bottom of heavy saucepan, gently smash each potato until slightly flattened but not falling apart. Transfer to baking sheet. (Make ahead, Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours).
• Drizzle with half of the olive oil, sprinkle with half each of the salt and pepper. Roast in 450F oven for 15 minutes.
• Turn potatoes over; sprinkle with remaining oil, salt and pepper. Bake until golden and crispy, about 10 more minutes.

SMASHED FINGERLING POTATOES

Steps:

• Slip the potatoes into a large pot of cold water, and bring to a boil. Add a few large pinches of salt, and simmer until just tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, and let cool for about 20 minutes.
• Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, place them on a sheet tray and gently press them down to flatten. (It helps to use the edge of a large clean chef's knife, pressing the potatoes down flat one at a time, until they flatten to a 1 1/2-inch thickness.) Drizzle on the olive oil, and add the garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Gently toss until the potatoes are well coated.
• Heat your grill to medium heat. Remove the potatoes from the sheet tray, and grill them until they are golden brown and crisp, about 4 or 5 minutes per side.
• Remove the crispy potatoes to a platter. Give them a taste, and add more salt and freshly ground black pepper if necessary.
• NOTE
• The trick here is to not overboil your potatoes. You don't want the potatoes to crumble and fall through your grill grates!

SAUSAGE AND MASHED POTATO BAKE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease a 9-inch square baking dish.
• In a skillet, cook the sausage until no longer pink; drain fat, can cut in large pieces or leave whole.
• Place in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• Top/spread evenly with the 3 cups of mashed potatoes.
• In the same skillet, saute the onion, garlic and green pepper in oil for 5 minutes, or until the veggies are crisp-tender.
• Stir in mushrooms, tomatoes, olives, basil, salt and pepper; mix to combine (do not cook).
• Spoon over potatoes to within 1-inch of edge.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and the chopped parsley on top.
• Bake, uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned.