Smashed Spud Patties With Tapenade Cream Food

CRISPY MASHED POTATO CAKES

Steps:

• Peel and dice potatoes and add to a large pot. Cover with water and salt the water. Bring to boil over medium heat, and cook until tender. Drain the potatoes and return to hot pot to dry. Transfer potatoes to a bowl. Soften cream cheese in a microwavable bowl and microwave the cream cheese for 20 seconds on high. Add to the potatoes along with sour cream, scallions, zest, egg, salt and pepper, to taste. Mash potatoes to combine mixture.
• Heat the oil and butter in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Drop 2-inch mounds of potatoes into skillet and gently press down to flatten a bit. Crisp potatoes until deeply golden on each side, about 7 to 8 minutes total. Mixture makes 8 golden cakes.

PERFECT SMASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Put 1 3/4 pounds baby potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Add 2 bay leaves, 2 garlic cloves and a big pinch of salt; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, discarding the bay leaves and garlic. Toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, transfer to a baking sheet and smash with a spatula or measuring cup. Drizzle with more olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil, turning, until crisp and golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

SMASHED SPUD PATTIES WITH TAPENADE CREAM

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the mashed potatoes, smoked cheese, flour, fresh cilantro, and pepper. Form potato mixture into 8 patties or 16 mini-patties, each about 3/4" thick.
• In a shallow dish beat together the egg and water. In a separate shallow dish place bread crumbs. Dip potato patties carefully in egg mixture, then in bread crumbs, turning to coat both sides evenly.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• In a large nonstick skillet heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil over medium heat; reduce heat to medium-low. Add 4 patties to skillet; do not crowd and cook approximately 4 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown.
• Gently turn patties and cook 4 to 5 minutes more, or until golden brown. Remove patties to baking sheet. Keep warm in oven. Cook remaining patties, using remaining 1 teaspoon oil.
• Meanwhile, prepare the potato topping by combining in a small bowl the sour cream and tapenade. Serve patties hot with sour cream mixture.

SMASHED POTATOES WITH TAPENADE CRUST

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and add the red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the bay leaf, peppercorns, and salt to taste. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook at a low boil 12 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender enough to be pierced with a skewer. Drain in a colander; do not allow them to cool, or they will break instead of smash.
• Put a potato on a clean dishcloth on a work surface, cover with another clean dishcloth, and using the palm of your hand, slowly and gently smash (crush) the potato. Transfer to a tray. Repeat with the remaining potatoes. Spoon the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil over the potatoes. Do not oil the bottoms of the potatoes, or the tapenade will not stick well when it is applied.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-low heat until a drop of water sizzles on the surface. Put the potatoes on the hot surface, oiled side down, and cook until they are crisp on the first side, about 5 minutes: DON'T MOVE THEM! Transfer to a tray, crisp side down.
• Slide a wide spatula under a crisped potato. Spread a heaping tablespoon of tapenade on top, and press down lightly to compact the crust. With one quick move, flip the potato over onto the hot surface, tapenade side down, and lower the heat slightly. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, and brown them for about 7 minutes, or until the tapenade is crisp. Carefully remove the potatoes as they are cooked and invert onto a serving platter, tapenade crust facing up. Serve immediately.

SMASHED POTATOES WITH TAPENADE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine all ingredients for tapenade. May be refrigerated up to one week in a tightly sealed container.
• Put potatoes in a saucepan with vinegar, bay leaf, peppercorns, salt and water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and continue to cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until potatoes are soft. Drain. While still warm, place potatoes in a dishtowel and gently crush with the flat of your hand on a hard surface.
• Heat a seasoned griddle over medium-low grill or stovetop until a drop of water sizzles on surface. Place potatoes on griddle and cook without moving until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove potatoes to a plate with a wide spatula. Top uncooked side with 2 tablespoons tapenade, pressing it into potato. Put potatoes back on griddle, tapenade side down, and cook another 5 minutes. Serve immediately.