About the Blog - Fragments of a Life

This blog will contain things I have written; some of my best photos; and a selection of my favourite recipes. I am truly fortunate to have traveled to and worked in fascinating places, met remarkable people, and seen many of the wonders of planet earth. Friends have urged me to write about these experiences and to publish my photographs. Maybe, one day, these will come together into a book. For now, they will be presented as fragments of a life since I am not yet prepared to "retire" and write. As well, for many years, I have been promising to publish my "cookbook". As I cannot get my act together to edit that all at once, I will start publishing those recipes one by one.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

JD’s Roast Potatoes



Quite a labour intensive dish that my son has introduced me to, but worth the effort.

6 large baking potatoes (do not use new potatoes)
5 tablespoons cooking oil (corn, sunflower or peanut)
2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
½ teaspoon thyme
½ teaspoon rosemary
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

  • Peel potatoes and cut them into chunks. 
  • Put potatoes in a large pot and just cover with cold water. 
  • Bring to a boil and boil rapidly for 5 minutes only. Do not overcook. 
  • Drain potatoes. 
  • Return potatoes to the pot and shake vigorously to roughen the edges. 
  • Put 5 tablespoons of cooking oil into a baking pan. 
  • Put baking pan into middle of oven. Set broiler to high. 
  • Heat oil to very hot (about 2 minutes), watching to make sure the pan does not catch fire. 
  • Remove pan from oven and quickly put in the potatoes so that they form one layer in the pan and return the pan to the oven as quickly as possible. 
  • Roast potatoes under grill for about 20-25 minutes. The potatoes should be starting to brown on the top. 
  • Remove from oven. Turn the potatoes and return to the oven for another 20-30 minutes. 
  • While the potatoes are roasting, put the chopped garlic, the thyme, the rosemary, the pepper and salt into a mortar and grind together. 
  • Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. 
  • Remove pan from oven. Turn potatoes one last time and brush the tops of the potatoes with the garlic and herb paste. 
  • Return to oven for an additional 10 minutes making sure the potatoes do not burn.
  • Serve piping hot.

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