Description
Classic fondant potatoes showcase French culinary precision with golden-crusted potato cylinders that deliver crisp exteriors and creamy interiors. Herb-infused butter and delicate seasonings elevate this elegant potato side dish for discerning diners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 medium Yukon Gold potatoes
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Seasoning:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Cooking Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions
- Cylindrical potato preparation involves peeling and trimming both ends to create uniform, flat-sided cylindrical shapes approximately 2 inches thick.
- Create a golden crust by heating olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high temperature. Season potato cylinders with salt and pepper, then sear each side for 5-6 minutes until achieving a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Lower skillet heat to medium and introduce butter, allowing it to melt and foam. Add crushed garlic and fresh thyme sprigs, gently tilting the pan to continuously baste potatoes with aromatic butter.
- Pour chicken or vegetable broth carefully around potato edges, preserving their crispy surface. Transfer skillet to preheated 400°F oven and roast for 25-30 minutes until potatoes develop a tender interior and liquid significantly reduces.
- Extract skillet from oven, removing garlic and thyme sprigs. Drizzle remaining buttery liquid over potatoes to enhance final flavor profile before presenting to diners.
Notes
- Select waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or Charlotte for the best texture and golden-brown exterior during searing.
- Use a sharp chef’s knife to create perfectly even cylindrical potato shapes, ensuring consistent cooking throughout.
- Pat potato surfaces completely dry before searing to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Maintain medium-high heat when searing to create a beautiful golden crust without burning the potato surfaces.
- Choose unsalted butter to control salt levels and prevent over-seasoning during the basting process.
- Allow potatoes to rest for 2-3 minutes after baking to help redistribute internal moisture and enhance tenderness.
- Customize herbs by substituting thyme with rosemary or sage for different flavor profiles.
- Transform this recipe into a vegan version by replacing chicken broth with vegetable broth and using plant-based butter alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg