Smothered potatoes are a classic side dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you’re looking for a traditional smothered potato recipe or something with a twist, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s explore the five best ways to make smothered potatoes and find out which one is your favorite!
What are Smothered Potatoes?
Smothered potatoes are a traditional dish made of diced potatoes that are cooked in butter and broth until they’re tender. It’s usually served with other sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or gravy. This classic comfort food has been enjoyed for decades and can be personalized to your own taste preferences.
How to Make Smothered Potatoes? 5 Different ways!
Traditional Smothered Potatoes
This is the classic recipe that has been around for years. It starts with diced potatoes cooked in bacon grease until just tender. Then add onions, garlic, and herbs, and cook until the onions are soft and lightly browned. Add chicken broth and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through. Finally, stir in sour cream before serving.
Smokey Bacon Smothered Potatoes
For those who love smokey flavor, this recipe is sure to please. Start by cooking bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside for later use. Add diced potatoes to the same skillet with more bacon grease if necessary, cook until tender. Then add onions, garlic, smoked paprika, and herbs to the skillet along with some chicken broth or water. Simmer until everything is cooked through before stirring in some sour cream at the end. Top with crumbled bacon before serving!
Cheesy Ham & Broccoli Smothered Potatoes
This delicious version of smothered potatoes combines ham and broccoli for an extra delicious side dish that packs plenty of flavor! Begin by cooking diced potatoes in olive oil until just tender before adding chopped onion and garlic to the pan along with cubed ham steak and chopped broccoli florets. Cook until everything is heated through before stirring in shredded cheddar cheese at the end of cooking time. Serve hot!
Vegetarian Smothered Potatoes
Vegetarians don’t have to miss out on smothered potatoes either! This tasty vegetarian variant uses vegetable stock instead of chicken broth as its liquid base which gives it an extra boost of flavor without any meat products added in. Start by sautéing diced potatoes in olive oil and then adding onion, garlic, bell pepper, mushrooms, and herbs to the pot along with vegetable stock or water; simmer until everything is cooked through before stirring in some vegan sour cream at the end of cooking time if desired (or regular sour cream if not trying to keep this dish vegan). Serve hot!
Jalapeno & Chorizo Smothered Potatoes
For those who like a bit of spice added into their side dishes, this jalapeño & chorizo smothered potato recipe is perfect! Start by sautéing diced russet potatoes in olive oil or butter until just tender before adding minced jalapeños along with ground chorizo sausage; cook everything together until heated through before stirring in some grated cheddar cheese at the end of cooking time (optional). Serve hot!
FAQS
1. Why do you soak potatoes in cold water before roasting?
Soaking the potatoes in cold water before roasting helps remove some of the naturally occurring starches that can make them overly crispy. It also prevents them from drying out during cooking and ensures that they cook evenly.
2. Should potatoes be soaked before pan frying?
No, potatoes do not need to be soaked before pan frying. Pan-frying the potatoes does not require pre-soaking, but it is important to use enough oil or butter so that the potatoes don’t stick to the pan and burn.
3. Should you soak cut potatoes in water before roasting?
No, when roasting potatoes it is not necessary to soak them in water beforehand. The potatoes can be placed directly into the oven to roast without pre-soaking. However, if you do choose to pre-soak the potatoes, make sure that they are completely drained of all the water before roasting. This will help ensure that the potatoes cook evenly and don’t become soggy.
4. How do you make fried potatoes and eggs?
To make fried potatoes and eggs, begin by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add some oil or butter to the pan and let it warm up before adding in diced potatoes. Cook the potatoes until they are tender and lightly browned before cracking eggs into the same skillet. Fry them together until the eggs reach the desired level of doneness before serving. Enjoy!
Conclusion:
No matter what your preference may be, these five recipes provide plenty of ideas on how you can enjoy one of America’s favorite side dishes – smothered potatoes – five different ways! Give one (or all!) a try tonight for an easy yet flavorful meal option that will satisfy even picky eaters young or old alike! Enjoy!