They're supposed to look something like this:
photo from martha stewart.com
In my world, they look more like this:
In the scheme of things, I don't really care. Who is this Anna person anyway, standing around all smug because her potatoes all stay together when she takes them out of the pan. I'm pretty sure we'd never be friends anyway.
This particular (yet delicious) kitchen flop is loosely based on a recipe I found in Cooking Light. I seriously doubt it was that light to start with, and I made it even less light by adding bacon and cheese. Basically it's just a layering of thinly sliced potatoes, with salt, pepper, bacon, and cheese in between the layers. It's baked covered at 450 for 20 minutes, then uncovered for 25.
I think to make the whole thing be cohesive you are supposed to do a lot of pressing down on it, maybe even put another heavy skillet on top.
Obviously, I'm no expert.
If I may, I would like to give you a tip: try boiling the potatoes a bit, at least 15-20 minutes before slicing them. And also, you could try adding at least 2 beaten eggs on top of the finished layering.
ReplyDeleteI don't really see why you should bother pressing them down with a heavy skillet, as just letting them be would be fine. At least in my opinion anyway.
Wonderful blog, by the way !
Tips always welcome...thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to laugh but I think this is funny! I saw the picture and thought "ooh, how impressive!" then realized it didn't quite turn out that way.
ReplyDeleteI hate when recipes turn out like that, but I'm glad it was good. The addition of the bacon and cheese sounds delish!
My recipes usually get messed up! Chocolate sauces go lumpy! Once I mixed mangoes with lemons and it tasted sooooo horrible that i have given up in coming up with my own recipes!
ReplyDeleteI am no expert! :)
do visit bakefresh.blogspot.com, if you into baking and stuff! Its my cousin's blog! Do stop by at mines sometime as well!
LOL That's too funny! And mine would turn out like yours :-) But in the end, how did they taste? Not too bad with the bacon and cheese, I bet.
ReplyDeleteThat made me laugh so much. Looks like my catastrophes in the kitchen too!
ReplyDeleteYour way looks much tastier. I'm always wary of pretty foods.
ReplyDeleteEh...it all ends up in the same place. In my belly :)
ReplyDeleteStopping by from SITS...and a fellow welcomista. I've been so bad lately with summer. But getting back into the swing of things :)
Those look delish!!!
ReplyDeleteStopped in from SITS! :D
I think your version looks quite good!
ReplyDeleteYours looked way yummier. I'd rather have an imperfect look that tells others I made it than something you can take a photo of. Stopped by from SITS :)
ReplyDeleteIt still looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteFantastic!! You're a funny food writer, I love it! I'm following you for sure!
ReplyDeleteI like it better your way! ;0)
ReplyDeleteMy recipes never "look" like they're supposed to, but they always taste pretty good and that's what really matters.
ReplyDeleteWaaah.... I'm married to a chef so I frequently feel incompetent in the culinary department!!! They still looked yummy though in my opinion!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from SITS.
B x
You are just too funny. My potatoes would look exactly like yours. I tried making duchess potatoes not too long ago and they were a horrible glop LOL. I would have absolutely no idea how to make the potatoes come out as Martha does, and it's not important; good taste takes precedence over good presentation any day.
ReplyDeleteOoh, married to a chef. That sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteMy husband agrees, it's taste over presentation.
BTW, Anna is my MIL and her potatoes would look like the first picture, but they would have been bland. Your version with all the cheese and bacon sounded fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThese still look yummy - golden brown and crispy!
ReplyDeletei am certainly no expert, but i don't really understand why you'd want them all pressed together like that.....yours looks (and sounds) much better.
ReplyDeleteAs long as it tastes great, a presentation doesn't matter at all. I like your addition of bacon and cheese, that sounds super delicious!
ReplyDeletei think yours looks great, and i bet it tastes fantastic!! we can't all be martha stewart -- plus, i bet they had to make 20 of those in order to get ONE that was photo-worthy!
ReplyDeleteThe true test is in the taste not the look. You did try girl. you did try! :)
ReplyDeleteAs my mother would say, it all looks the same in your stomach! Your photos reminded me of a tarte tatin that didn't go so well... we've all been there!
ReplyDeleteGreat dish and Yes get to that movie!
ReplyDeleteLOL, I thought the first photo was yours and thought wow, that's gorgeous. But lets be honest it probably doesn't taste half as good as yours with bacon and cheese, YUMMM! I'll take your version hands down!
ReplyDelete~ingrid
Duh, I like your new look. I desperately need a new look too!
ReplyDelete~ingrid
Ohhhhh I'm so sorry they turned out less-than-perfect.. but at least they were yummy, right? Nice makeover :)
ReplyDeleteEh, Anna sounds like a show off!
ReplyDeleteAnna is a real ball-buster.
ReplyDeleteI think yours looks better actually. Anna is a bit too anal for me!
ReplyDeleteLess then perfect always tastes better! Anna's was a bit over the top. Noooo one ever gets it that perfect!
ReplyDeleteWell, I love potato. Every recipe sounds delicious for me!
ReplyDeleteWow! This looks beautiful!!!!
ReplyDeletei'm totally trying your potatoes...they look awesome!(cheese, bacon and all!!!!)
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting my blog! :o)
Ooops. Sorry - made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteHelps to slice them with a mandolin (watch your fingers!), and they type of potato is important too - plenty of starch to keep them together. King Edwards, Desiree, Maris Piper in the UK - not sure about the US.