My Top Ten Favorite Potato Dishes!

We are crazy about potatoes in The Stirring The Pot kitchen. When I thought about which potato recipe I would make for this week's Hot Potato theme, I couldn't come up with anything I thought would be more delicious than the potato recipes I'd already made...which led me to think that I've never created a roundup of my potato favorites, but I totally should, and so...here it goes.

I looked through all my potato archives, and trust me, there were pages upon pages of potato recipes. I decided that I would only choose recipes where the potato played the starring role.

What follows below are my ALL-TIME FAVORITE POTATO DISHES. These are the ones that I've made over and over again. They are in no particular order. I love them all equally.

I truly feel that potatoes are one of the most comforting foods. During times such as these, we would all benefit from a few hot potato dishes. I'd also like to note that almost all of these dishes can be made with pantry ingredients and/or things you should have on hand (I'm talking bare bones ingredients here). Please take care of yourself!

If you click on the name of the dish, it will take you to the original post and recipe.

 Ina Garten's Crusty Baked Potatoes with Whipped Feta

 Oh my word...this potato is SO GOOD y'all. The salty herby coating on the potato skin and the fluffy lip smackin' whipped feta. If you're a fan of feta, or if you're looking to up your baked potato game, this is the recipe for you. Each and every bite is full of flavor and oh so delightful!

 Madhur Jaffrey's Potato Pancakes with Spicy Korean Dipping Sauce

Who doesn't love a crispy crunchy potato pancake dipped in a garlicky, spicy dipping sauce? These are so addictive, and you can make them with pantry ingredients! 

 Jacques & Julia Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are the bomb. A recipe that two legends wrote together? Even better! Add garlic, and well...you have a delicious comforting dish!

 Ruth Reichl's Shirred Eggs over Potato Puree

Now, I said that I didn't have a favorite in this roundup, but if I do, then it's this recipe. You see, potatoes and eggs are two of my favorite ingredients and this dish...is like a hug. Creamy mashed potatoes topped with an over-easy egg, all baked up in a cute little ramekin. This is serious breakfast food, for when you need a deep dose of comfort (like maybe right about now). Top it with chives, cheese, bacon, etc. Just try it! So so good!

 

 Donna Hay's Potato & Ham Fritters

This recipe is perfect for this time of year. Leftover ham and potatoes from Easter dinner? Please make this dish! These are like crispy golden mashed potato cakes with bits of ham and spinach. The crispy crunchy outside and the creamy savory interior are a perfect texture match. These would make a perfect after-Easter brunch!

Jacques Pepin's Potatoes Fondantes

Creamy, buttery, crispy, flavorful Yukon baby potatoes. A five-ingredient side dish that will blow a basket of french fries right out of the water. Jacques Pepin is like a potato genius!

 Ruth Reichl's Cheddar & Garlic Twice-Baked Potatoes

 I've tried my hand at a lot of twice-baked potatoes over the years and Ruth's recipe is my favorite! These are the perfect side for a special dinner. They're also great for entertaining! Look at all that cheese!

Ina Garten Basil Potato Puree

 Ina Garten's Basil Potato Puree is what happens when you crave mashed potatoes in the summertime. I can remember making these years ago with the basil my mom grew in her garden. Mom could not stop talking about how special these were. She just loved them so much. Do yourself a favor and make these mashed potatoes this summer when you have more basil than you know what to do with!

 Giada's Mini Twice-Baked Potatoes

 I love Ruth Reichl's twice-baked potato recipe the most, but I have to give props to Giada's twice-baked potatoes because everyone loves mini food. These twice-baked potatoes are so much fun. Irresistible little bits of goodness that are perfect for almost any type of event. Once you pop, you can't stop!

Ina Garten's Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes 

Last, but not least, Ina Garten's Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes.Thank you, Ina, for introducing me to the potato ricer/food mill method of making mashed potatoes. It yields the most dramatically creamy and indulgent mashed potatoes one could possibly put in their mouth! My family goes crazy for these mashed potatoes and the secret really is using a potato ricer. Trust me, once you do it you will not make mashed potatoes any other way. These potatoes are heavenly! 

Bobby Flay's Crunchburger

I've always liked things that were different or unique. Growing up, everyone used to tease me because I always liked the boys with red hair. I think I dated every redhead in high school. They just stood out to me. Over a period of time, everyone started referring to me as "carrot girl". I ended up marrying someone with hair dark enough to be labeled as black, but somehow we managed to have the cutest little redhead of our own! When my son was born with red hair I was more than tickled.

Food Network first premiered when I was in high school, at the very height of my craze with red hair. I was smitten with Bobby Flay from the beginning. To say that I thought he was cute would be an understatement.

I got the chance to meet Bobby last fall during a food show in Lexington. He was so charismatic and carried himself so well. When he opened up the floor for questions I had to play along. Shy as I am, I walked to the mic. I wasn't going to miss out on this opportunity. While standing in line, I pondered over what to say. The only thing that kept coming into my mind was how gorgeous he was. When it was my turn to speak I opened up my mouth and told him that I had been a fan since the 90's. Then I preceded to tell him just how gorgeous he is. All the ladies in the audience chuckled and Bobby handed me this Caramel Apple Shortcake with Apple Cider Reduction.

Meeting Bobby was such a fun experience and I'm so happy that I "grabbed the bull by the horns" and spoke to him. I vowed then and there to start making some of Bobby's recipes, but as always I've gotten sidetracked...until now.

Presenting Bobby Flay's Crunchburger...........................

The Crunchburger is Bobby's signature burger. I can see why. The burger is topped with a potato chips and a horseradish mustard mayo (Bobby must know I love mustard)!

Making the Crunchburger is as simple as whipping up a quick mustard sauce and frying up some burgers. I really loved the addition of the crunchy chips topping the burger and I especially loved the zippy tang of the Horseradish Mustard Mayo. The Crunchburger is my submission to this months Blogger Burger Club Challenge over at my friend Reeni's blog, Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice. I'm going to give it a 3.5 rating (out of a possible 4). It was definitely a terrific, messy, and delicious burger! You can find the recipe for Bobby's Crunchburger online HERE at the Food Network website.

I'm also submitting the Crunchburger to my pal Deb @ Kahakai Kitchen for her weekly Souper Sundays roundup of soups, salad and sammies.

NOTE: Me and my Zoku Quick Pop Maker have recently gotten a divorce. This week's popsicle is trapped in the Zoku chambers, which is why I'm bringing you the Crunchburger in place of Popsicle of the Week. Popsicle of the Week will be back next Monday.

Burger Club Roundup: Caesar Salad and Flank Steak Burgers on Garlic Crostini

The third round of Burger Club ratings are in! This time around it was Build a Better Burger's Award-Winning Caesar Salad and Flank Steak Burger with Garlic Crostini. A ground flank steak burger with homemade caesar dressing, romaine lettuce, and lots of fluffy Parmesan cheese served between two pieces of garlic crostini.

This is the criteria used to rate the burger:

1 Star = Didn't like and wouldn't make again.
2 Stars = Liked but wouldn't make again.
3 Stars = Liked and will make again.
4 Stars = Loved! Will make often.

Reeni of Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice loves Caesar salad and thought the homemade Caesar dressing was one of the best she has ever tried. Reeni and her family found the burger itself to be very well-seasoned but would have preferred a softer roll, perhaps grilling only one side of the bread or even using Texas Toast as a bun for the burger. I personally love the idea of using the Texas Toast, great idea Reeni! Reeni gave the burger a 3.5 rating and said it was exceptionally delicious!

I'm so happy my friend Deb of Kahakai Kitchen had the chance to join in and make the burger this month. Deb thought the burger was juicy and flavorful and found the Caesar salad was nice and garlicky. Deb loved all the Parmesan "fluff" on top of the burger (me too!!) and gave the burger a 3.5 rating, stating that it was one of the best burgers she has made lately.

Barbara of Barbara Bakes loved the grilled sourdough which topped the burger and found it to be the best part of the recipe. Barbara also loved the homemade Caesar dressing, but found her burger to be a little on the dry side. Barbara gave the burger a 2.5 rating, saying that it was a tasty burger, but she probably wouldn't make it again. Barbara did say that she would most definitely be making grilled sourdough again and I have to agree with her. I loved the grilled sourdough too!

Kristin of Holy Cannoli Recipes loved the burger and even made her own ground steak. Way to go Kristin! Kristin and her husband are a very creative team because they came up with some wonderful ideas for this burger. Kristin's husband thought it would be great to marinate the steak in the dressing before grinding it, which sounds like a grand idea to me! Kristin loved the burger and mentioned that the next time she made it she would use ground chicken, making a Chicken Caesar Salad Burger. I say Kristin and her husband are full of all kinds of wonderful ideas. I'm thinking about moving in to her house -LOL! Kristin gave the burger a 3.5 rating.

I'm very happy to add in another Burger Club member, Brenda from Brenda's Canadian Kitchen. Brenda and her husband Joe loved the homemade dressing and thought the burger was very juicy. Brenda and Joe gave the burger it's best rating yet, 3.75! Thanks Brenda for leaving me a comment so that I could add your burger and rating to the roundup!!

Here at Stirring the Pot we really enjoyed the burger. I thought the burger was tender and flavorful and that the dressing was light and herbaceous. I loved the garlic crostini and found myself making that portion of the recipe in the days that followed. My husband and I also gave the burger a 3.5 rating.


A very big thank you to everyone who participated in this month's Burger Club! I loved all of your comments, ideas and suggestions!

Updated: I averaged out the ratings of all six participants, coming out with a 3.375 rating for the Caesar Salad and Flank Steak Burger with Garlic Crostini. This means the Caesar Salad Burger falls into the "Liked and will make again" category.

The original recipe for the burger can be found HERE.

A very big thank you to Reeni for letting me host this month's roundup! Reeni will be announcing the next Burger Club challenge shortly. Please stay tuned to Reeni's blog, Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice to catch all the info.

If I missed you in the roundup, please leave me a comment so that I can be sure to include you. I don't want to leave anyone out!

Blogger Burger Club: Caesar Salad and Flank Steak Burgers with Garlic Crostini

Today is National Hamburger Day and with the holiday weekend coming up, it is a great time to cook up some tasty burgers! I was very happy when Reeni of Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice asked me to host this month's Blogger Burger Club! I am always inspired by Reeni's tasty creations and was honored that she asked me. After careful consideration, I chose this Caesar Salad and Flank Steak Burger with Garlic Crostini. The recipe comes from a book I bought awhile back called Build a Better Burger and contains recipes from Sutter Home's annual burger contest. There are some stunning burger recipes in this book. However, it was this Caesar Salad and Flank Steak Burger with Garlic Crostini that stole my heart.

Imagine a thick, juicy, tender steak burger with a homemade Caesar salad, sitting atop a thick garlicky crostini, showered in Parmesan cheese. Heaven, pure heaven! This is definitely a fork and knife burger. Enjoy it alone. It needs no accompaniments, except maybe a glass of wine.

Caesar Salad with Flank Steak Burgers with Garlic Crostini
Adapted from Build a Better Burger (Makes 4 large meal-sized burgers)
Estimated Time: 30-40 minutes
Dressing:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1-1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
3/4 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
2 flat anchovy fillets packed in oil, drained and chopped (I use 1/2 tsp. anchovy paste)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Patties:
1-1/2 pounds ground flank steak
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 shallots, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons Zinfandel (feel free to use any red wine or even beef broth)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil, for brushing the grill rack
Garlic Crostini:
8 (1/2 inch-thick) sourdough bread slices
Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing on the bread
4 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
You will also need:
1-1/2 cups washed, dried, and shredded romaine lettuce
Shredded, freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese to taste

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium high.

To make the dressing, combine the olive oils, vinegars, and salt in a small jar with a lid and shake until well blended. Mash the anchovy fillets and garlic together on a cutting board until they form a paste; transfer to a bowl. Add the oil and vinegar mixture, lemon juice, and parsley and whisk until smooth. Set aside.

To make the patties, combine the steak, parsley, shallots, garlic, Zinfandel, salt, lemon pepper seasoning, and pepper in a large bowl. Handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the bread slices.

When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with olive oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, until done to preference 5-7 minutes on each side for medium. During the last few minutes of cooking, to make the crostini, brush the bread slices to taste with olive oil on both sides. Place the bread slices on the outer edges of the rack, turning once to toast lightly. Remove and rub each side of the toast with 1/2 garlic clove.

To assemble the burgers, combine the lettuce and the dressing in a large bowl and toss lightly. On 4 of the bread slices, place an equal portion of the salad, a patty and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. Top with the remaining slices and serve.

Notes: This was the first time I heard about ground flank steak. I live in a very small town, with limited grocery options and had no trouble getting the butcher to grind me some flank steak. It only took 5 minutes and I was in and out of there. The ground flank steak was extremely tender and if you can get it, I highly suggest it. However, ground beef would also work well in this recipe. You may also be tempted to use a store-bought Caesar dressing. I say don't do it! This homemade dressing was delicious and was nothing like the bottled stuff you see in the supermarket. The last thing I want to mention is in regard to 3 tablespoons of Zinfandel that go into the patties. I didn't have Zinfandel, but I had another red wine which worked just as well. If you don't drink wine or don't have any on hand, just use a beef stock. Either way, you will need this liquid to help bind the burger together.

Want to Join Along??

Burger Club Guidelines:

-Make the Caesar Salad and Flank Steak Burgers with Garlic Crostini, blog about it with your rating and other thoughts on it, link to me and let me know by e-mail tony.tracy@att.net or by adding your link to the MckLinky below by midnight on June 20th.

The ratings are based on a four-star rating:

1 Star = Didn't like and wouldn't make again.

2 Stars = Liked but wouldn't make again.

3 Stars = Liked and will make again.

4 Stars = Loved! Will make often.

-I will average out the ratings to give it one singular rating and also include a round-up of your burger and ratings.

-Join in as often as you like.

I really enjoyed this burger and am giving it 3.5 stars! The steak burger was very tender and flavorful, the salad dressing on the romaine lettuce was very light and herbaceous, but it was the garlic crostini that pulled it all together. A special occasion burger that I will be sure to make again.

Also, I want to give a huge Thank You to Reeni for letting me host this month's burger!!

Happy National Hamburger Day!!