Layered Potatoes From Bahia De Casares Recipes

ELEVEN-LAYER POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a 10-by-10-by-2-inch casserole, arrange some of the potatoes in an even layer, drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the cream and season with salt and pepper. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, cream and salt and pepper to form 11 layers. Press down on the layers to totally submerge them in the cream.
• Cover and bake for 30 minutes; remove the cover and continue baking until the cream has been absorbed, the potatoes are cooked through and the top is browned, 30 to 45 minutes longer. Evenly distribute the Caramelized Shallots and Fried Sage Leaves over the top.
• Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and sugar and slowly cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized, about 40 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Add the sage leaves in batches and fry for a few seconds until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels and season with salt.
• Cover and refrigerate the flavored oil to save for sauteing fish, chicken or pork chops.

BEER-BOILED, GRILLED BRATWURST WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER PUREE AND PARMESAN CHEESE BOWLS WITH MIXED GREENS AND PAN-ROASTED HERBED LAYERED POTATOES

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, add beer and enough water or stock to cover the bratwurst, and bring to a boil. Add bratwurst, and boil for 5 to10 minutes, or until fully cooked. Remove the brats from the beer, pat dry, and brown on each side in a grill pan. Be careful not to pierce or cut the bratwurst, or you will lose all of its natural juices.
• Over an open flame, roast the pepper, until the skin is completely blackened. Using tongs, remove the pepper from the flame and put it in a covered bowl for 10 minutes to steam. Once the pepper has steamed, rub the charred skin from the pepper. Remove the seeds and the inner membrane, and then chop the pepper coarsely.
• In a blender, pulse the pepper with olive oil until the mixture is pureed and reaches your desired consistency. Season the puree with salt and pepper.
• Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese into the pan. Allow the cheese to harden and slightly melt together. Remove from heat. As the Parmesan begins to cool slightly, loosen the edges with a spatula and drape the cheese over a cup so that it will harden into a bowl shape. Allow the Parmesan bowl to cool. Once the cheese has hardened, do not place anything hot in the bowls or they will melt.
• In a large bowl, mix together the vinegar, sugar and olive oil, then add the mixed greens and toss the salad mixture together. Serve the salad inside the individual Parmesan cups.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Wash and peel the potatoes, and then slice the potatoes into disks. Layer the potato slices in the pan. Combine herbs. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of butter over the potatoes, sprinkle salt and pepper and add 2 teaspoons of the fresh herbs on top of the first layer. Repeat the layering process, ending with drizzled butter on the top. Cover the potatoes and cook over medium heat for 45 minutes.
• Invert a plate over the skillet and turn the pan over to remove the potatoes from the pan. Garnish with the remaining herbs.

CRISPY LAYERED THYME POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Slice the peeled potatoes as finely as possible on a mandolin, with the fine slicing blade of a food processor, or with a very sharp knife. (The more finely you slice them, the quicker and more evenly they will cook.)
• Pat the potatoes dry with a clean tea towel and tip into a large bowl. Pour over the melted butter, sprinkle over the thyme and some salt (preferably sea salt or rock salt), and toss until each slice is coated in butter.
• In a roasting tin, measuring about 20 x 20cm, assemble the potato slices vertically, tightly packed together like a deck of cards, until the dish is full and you've used all the potatoes. Sprinkle with a little more salt and place in the oven for 45-50 mins until crisp and cooked. Use a skewer or small sharp knife to check that the potatoes are completely soft and cooked in the centre. Serve from the tin alongside the lamb.