In spite of these sumptuous Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes qualifying as one of those non-recipes, you will find a plethora of recipes for roasted smashed potatoes by simply doing a Google search. But hang on for a second and stay here for awhile. You may have just landed on the recipe for the most perfect roasted smashed potatoes. But if, after reading through the recipe you feel compelled to go out on a down the rabbit hole hunt, then so be it. I have a feeling you might find yourself returning back to the place where you started. Here! A couple of weeks ago I had a similar experience of going on a different kind of search. One for a VRBO in Vancouver. In August one of my friends and I are running the Seawheeze half-marathon. The list of the things we were seeking in a rental was, what you might say, on the 'rather long' side. But definitely not to be confused with on the high-maintenance side. We wanted a property with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a balcony, comfy looking furniture, a view, access to a pool and whirlpool, a great location/neighborhood, even better property ratings, and reasonably priced. We weren't asking for much, right? It didn't take long for us to learn there was no such thing as 'reasonably priced' in Vancouver. Whatever that is supposed to mean these days. We had quickly dismissed the first property we looked at. It had everything on our list but we thought it's rental cost fell into the 'too much' category. So we kept searching. Not surprisingly, we ended up ultimately returning to and booking the first place we had looked at as it turned out to be THE 'best option'. It had everything we had hoped to find wth the exception of that 'reasonable price' expectation. Funny how one's opinions shift with a bit of a reality 'price' check education. The other lesson learned. Sometimes time spent on searching leads you back to where you started.
If it means I have to go on a diet of potatoes for the next six months to pay for this once in a lifetime chance to run a Lululemon race (because who knows how many more half-marathons this aging body can endure), then let it be these Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes. With or without the sour cream and ketchup.
If you have never tasted roasted smashed potatoes before, you have been missing out on a head spinning experience of fluffy, crispy bites of deliciousness. They happen to be SO much better than a baked potato. And even better they are so much healthier than french fries.
In part because they are so much more versatile than either of those potato options. Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes would make for a great, hearty appetizer, work as a perfect side dish to any number of entrees, or could be your lunch or dinner.
One of the keys to the swoonworthiness of this dish are the potatoes. Baby Yukon Gold potatoes will create the most tender, creamiest, crispiest roasted smashed potatoes. First cooked in a pot of water until tender, the roasting process then transforms these simple potatoes into the most heavenly bites of deliciousness. We are talking borderline addicting here.
Brushing olive oil onto the smashed potatoes is what helps them to crisp up roasting in a preheated 450 degree (F) oven. Adding finely minced garlic to the oil and topping them with some fresh thyme adds another layer of flavor. If you want an even more herb-y roasted smashed potato, mix some finely chopped rosemary into the olive oil along with the garlic and then top with the fresh sprigs of thyme.
Liberally brushing olive oil on your baking sheet will help to crisp up the bottoms of the potatoes as well as prevent them from sticking to the pan.
The smashed potatoes roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy around the edges. And oh, the aroma these Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes created in your kitchen is beyond intoxicating.
Serve them on a large platter with sides of sour cream and ketchup, then sit back and watch them disappear.
Once you taste these mouthwatering, scrumptious Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes, they are destined to become your new favorite way to make, eat, and enjoy potatoes.
For those of you who are following a Whole 30 diet, the good news is these Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes are allowed! For those of you who love french fries but are trying to avoid or limit your intake of fried foods, you may never eat another one after you taste these! And for those of you who like to splurge on vacations or destination races without breaking your discretionary fund budgets, add these Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes to your life! Both your taste buds and pocketbook will thank you. But for those of you who just love to serve beautiful, delicious food to your family and friends, you absolutely have to make these potatoes.
Garlic Thyme Roasted Smashed Potatoes
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds (680 g) baby Yukon Gold potatoes (about 15-16 potatoes)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/3 cup plus 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2-3 large cloves of garlic, finely minced
Flaky Sea Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Sprigs of fresh thyme
Sour cream and/or ketchup
Optional: Freshly chopped fresh rosemary
Directions
1. In a medium sized pot filled with water and two teaspoons of kosher salt, add the potatoes. Over high heat bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low-simmer and continue cooking the potatoes until knife tender. Approximately 20-25 minutes of cooking time. Note: Be careful to not under or overcook the potatoes.
2. Drain and dry the potatoes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees (F) while the potatoes are cooking. Brush 2 Tablespoons of olive oil on a large rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
4. In a small bowl, combine the 1/3 cup of olive oil and minced garlic together.
5. Place the slightly cooled potatoes on the baking sheet. Using a potato masher or bottom of heavy glass and carefully press down to smash them while still keeping them intact.
6. Spoon over the olive oil/garlic mixture over each potato. Use a pastry brush to brush the oil over the entire potato. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and fresh ground black pepper. Top each potato with a small sprig of thyme.
7. Roast the potatoes for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy around the edges. Note: Begin checking your potatoes for doneness at 20 minutes.
8. Remove the roasted potatoes from the oven and transfer to a serving platter.
9. Serve with bowls of sour cream and/or ketchup and enjoy!
Notes: (1) The potatoes can be made ahead to the point up to 6 hours before they go into the oven. Tightly cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Take out of the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before roasting. (2) If garlic happens to be one of those things that doesn't 'agree with you, mix in a Tablespoon of freshly chopped rosemary into the olive oil. Or alternately don't add anything to your olive oil before brushing it onto the smashed potatoes.
Winter at Morton Arboretum (February 2020)
