Pommes Chef Anne

The second half of my Worst Cooks meal was this potato side dish. I served this side dish with a seared mahi. Again: it really didn't mesh as a meal, but it was yummy.

I really thought this was a pretty, yummy side dish. I used one potato (for two people) and a small skillet. I added some french onion soup mix between the layers (Chef Anne would kick me out of her kitchen!) and it made the potatoes quite tasty. The flip out of the skillet onto the plate worked very well. But, I think I fell short on the "make the layers compact" step. The whole fritter/pancake was a little loose. But, if you have a mandoline, a skillet and a hot oven, it's an impressive, pretty easy side dish.

Pommes Chef Anne
from Chef Anne in Worst Cooks in America


Ingredients
3 russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
Extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Kosher salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.


1. Working 1 potato at a time, slice very thin on the mandoline.
It is important to work with purpose here (quickly) because the potatoes will discolor. Do not put the potatoes in water because this will wash the starch off the potatoes.

2. Coat an 8-inch nonstick saute pan with olive oil. Starting from the center, make concentric circles of potatoes in the bottom of the pan.
Remember that eventually the bottom will be the top so it is important for the first circles of potatoes to look pretty.

3. Brush each layer with olive oil and every 2nd or 3rd layer sprinkle liberally with grated cheese and salt. After every layer of potatoes, press the potatoes so they are very compact. Repeat this process with the remaining 2 potatoes.

4. Place the pan of potatoes over medium heat and cook until the olive oil begins to sizzle and the potatoes begin to brown on the bottom.

5. Put the pan in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and place a tight fitting lid on the pan. Drain the excess oil out the side of the pan.
THIS STEP IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!

6. After the excess oil has been drained, completely flip the pan so the cake is turned out onto the bottom of the lid, then slide the cake off the lid back into the pan so the brown side of the cake is now up and the top becomes the bottom.
We see now why draining the excess oil is important. If you attempt this without draining the oil it will drain out on your wrist and burn you.

7. Return the cake to the oven and bake until the cake is fork tender, another 10 to 15 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve.