Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes Roasted in Duck Fat: The Ultimate Easy Holiday Appetizer & Side Dish
Imagine tender, fluffy potatoes, gently smashed and then roasted to golden-brown perfection, each bite delivering an irresistible crisp exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth interior. Now, elevate that vision by infusing them with aromatic whole garlic cloves and roasting them in rich, savory duck fat. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a culinary experience – a truly delicious party appetizer or snack that effortlessly steals the show at any gathering. These Garlic Smashed Potatoes are an absolute game-changer, turning a simple root vegetable into an elevated gourmet treat that’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
Thank you The Fresh Market for sponsoring this post. Their exceptional selection of specialty ingredients makes holiday entertaining simple and spectacular. Visit a store near you to get everything you need for a memorable and delicious holiday season!
Embracing the Holiday Spirit with Effortless Entertaining
It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year, brimming with festive cheer, heartwarming traditions, and cherished moments with loved ones. Yet, for many, it’s also undeniably the busiest. Between gift shopping, decorating, attending events, and planning family celebrations, it often feels like we’re juggling a dozen different tasks simultaneously. The desire to create magical holiday experiences often collides with the reality of packed schedules and dwindling energy.
Last year was a whirlwind, hosting three bustling parties in as many weeks, a feat that taught me invaluable lessons in efficient entertaining. While this year might be slightly less intense, December remains a month dedicated to upholding cherished family traditions, enjoying intimate moments with my husband, Jason, and, of course, the annual “Love Actually” movie night with my girlfriends. These gatherings, whether grand or intimate, all share a common thread: the need for delicious, comforting food that doesn’t demand hours of prep work.
When my girlfriends and I gather for our mid-week movie night, we’re all usually tired from a long day’s work but undeniably hungry. This calls for a spread of “snack-y” foods – substantial enough for dinner, but casual enough for lounging in our comfiest clothes. My go-to strategy involves crafting a beautiful cheese board, complete with an array of specialty cheeses, artisanal cured meats, and gourmet crackers. To complement this, I love adding one or two small, impressive homemade bites, alongside a few incredible ready-made deli sides from The Fresh Market. Their diverse selection makes it incredibly easy to create a varied and appealing spread without the stress.
The Fresh Market: Your One-Stop Destination for Stress-Free Holiday Feasts
The concept of “Less Prep, More Party” truly resonates with me, especially during the hectic holiday season. This is precisely where The Fresh Market shines as an indispensable partner for stress-free entertaining. Their commitment to offering high-quality, ready-made appetizers and a curated selection of specialty cheeses is a lifesaver for busy hosts. Forget dashing to multiple stores; The Fresh Market truly is your one-stop shop for holiday entertaining. From exquisite gourmet gifts to standout side dishes that taste homemade, and inspiring ingredients that elevate any recipe, they have it all. Simply visit your neighborhood store, and you’ll find everything you need to transform your gathering into a memorable culinary event, all while minimizing your time in the kitchen.
For our recent movie night, I decided to whip up a batch of these extraordinary Garlic Smashed Potatoes Roasted in Duck Fat. While the name might sound a bit “frou-frou” or overly fancy, the truth is, it’s simply an elevated, incredibly crispy potato dish. And honestly, who doesn’t adore a perfectly crispy potato? These aren’t just any potatoes; they possess a depth of flavor and a textural contrast that sets them apart from your everyday roasted spud.
For years, fries or tots cooked in duck fat have been a cherished guilty pleasure when I’m out dining with these very same girlfriends who gather for our annual “Love Actually” night. The unique richness and high smoke point of duck fat impart an unparalleled crispness and savory flavor that other cooking fats simply cannot replicate. While duck fat might not be a staple at most conventional grocery stores, you can absolutely count on finding high-quality duck fat, like Aux Délices des Bois Duck Fat, at The Fresh Market. It’s the perfect place to pick up this specialty ingredient along with all the other fresh, premium items you’ll need for an effortlessly delicious and elegant night of entertaining at home.
Crafting the Perfect Crispy Smashed Potatoes: A Culinary Journey
The magic of these garlic smashed potatoes begins with choosing the right spuds. At The Fresh Market, you’ll find an excellent selection of “one-bite potatoes” in the produce section – small, uniform potatoes that are ideal for this recipe, ensuring consistent cooking and perfect portion sizes. The entire process is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss, allowing you to enjoy your guests (or your movie!) rather than being chained to the stove.
Here’s how to orchestrate a truly delightful and stress-free evening:
First, get your “one-bite potatoes” boiling in a large pot of salted water. While they simmer to fork-tender perfection, you can begin assembling a small, elegant charcuterie board. Focus on a good balance of flavors and textures: a creamy brie, a sharp cheddar, some salty prosciutto, a tangy salami, and perhaps some fig jam or honey. Once assembled, simply cover and refrigerate your charcuterie board, keeping it fresh until showtime. This ahead-of-time prep is key to a relaxed hosting experience.
Next, gently melt your luxurious duck fat in a small pan, infusing it with several smashed fresh garlic cloves. The aroma alone will begin to tantalize your senses, promising the savory depths of flavor to come. Once the potatoes are perfectly tender, drain them thoroughly and return them to the hot pot. Immediately toss them with a generous portion of the melted, garlic-infused duck fat. Let them cool slightly, allowing the potatoes to soak up that rich, garlicky goodness for about 15 minutes – this step is crucial for flavor development.
Now for the fun part: arrange the duck fat-coated potatoes on a baking sheet, lightly drizzled with more duck fat. Using a potato masher or even the back of a sturdy fork, gently smash each potato. The goal isn’t to create a smooth mash, but to open up the potato, creating more surface area for maximum crispiness. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper and a touch more salt. Pop them into a preheated 450F oven for about 20-25 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they achieve that coveted golden-brown hue and incredibly crispy texture. The sizzle and the golden edges are pure perfection.
While your potatoes are roasting to crispy glory, retrieve your pre-assembled deli sides from The Fresh Market. I highly recommend their bright and refreshing lemon orzo salad and the wonderfully smokey mozzarella pasta salad for this spread. Don’t forget a vibrant selection of olives from their olive bar – they add a fantastic briny counterpoint. Once the potatoes emerge from the oven, immediately toss them with a final drizzle of melted duck fat, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness, and a generous sprinkling of finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley. For an extra touch of indulgence, consider a garnish of grated Parmesan cheese. Finally, retrieve your chilled charcuterie board.
The final step? Change into your most comfortable movie-watching attire (bless you, athleisure wear!), pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine, and settle onto the couch. With minimal effort, you’ve created a spread of gourmet delights, perfect for eating, drinking, and being merry with your favorite people, all from the comfort of your own home. It’s entertaining made simple, elegant, and utterly delicious. The end!
Garlic Smashed Potatoes Roasted in Duck Fat
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Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs One-Bite Potatoes – such as small red, yellow, or creamer potatoes
- 4 tbsp Aux Délices des Bois Duck Fat – divided
- 3-4 garlic cloves – smashed, but kept whole
- freshly ground black pepper and sea salt – to taste
- juice from ½ a fresh lemon
- 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley – finely chopped
- 3 tbsp Parmesan cheese – grated (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). This high heat is essential for achieving optimal crispiness.
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Place the one-bite potatoes in a large pot. Cover them with cold, generously salted water (it should taste like the ocean). Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
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Cook the potatoes for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until they are just fork-tender. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will continue to cook in the oven.
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Drain the potatoes thoroughly and immediately return them to the hot pot. The residual heat will help dry them out slightly.
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Add 2 tablespoons of the duck fat and the smashed garlic cloves to the hot potatoes. Toss gently to combine, ensuring each potato is lightly coated. Let this mixture sit for about 15 minutes, allowing the potatoes to cool slightly and the duck fat’s savory flavor to infuse deeply.
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While the potatoes are infusing, drizzle about 1 tablespoon of duck fat onto a large baking sheet, spreading it evenly.
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Transfer the potatoes onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading them out in a single layer. Using a potato masher or the bottom of a sturdy glass, very gently smash each potato until it flattens slightly, exposing more surface area.
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Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of duck fat over the smashed potatoes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper and additional salt to taste.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and wonderfully crispy. For even browning, gently turn them over at the halfway mark.
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Once golden brown and perfectly crispy, remove the potatoes from the oven. Immediately toss them with fresh lemon juice and the finely chopped flat-leaf parsley. If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of savory flavor. Serve these glorious crispy smashed potatoes immediately and enjoy!
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