Smashed Potatoes

Randy says:
The great thing about these potatoes is that you can boil them off (pre-cook) the night before. They come together in just a few minutes just as you are ready to serve the rest of your breakfast or brunch.

Ingredients:
(Serves 4-6)

• one small bag of small potatoes (yukon golds, fingerlings, or something similar)
• salt & pepper
• 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Spices and herbs of choice

1. Start by placing the potatoes in a large saucepan. Add a teaspoon of salt and cover with water. Don't peel the potatoes, because the skin helps keep the potatoes together.
2. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and cook at a low boil until they are tender enough to slide a knife in easily. It is important not to over-boil them - for golf ball size potatoes about 10 minutes or a little less.
3. Drain the potatoes and refrigerate until you are ready to brown them in a large skillet or on the BBQ.
4. Heat the olive in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Keep in mind the skillet needs to be big enough to hold the potatoes, which double in diameter when they are smashed.
5. Add the pre-cooked potatoes to the skillet and smash (partly flatten) each potato with a masher or the bottom of a heavy glass.
6. Season with salt and pepper and cook until crisp, and them turn and cook the other side.
7. Sprinkle with chives, fresh herbs, whatever and serve.

I like finishing them on the BBQ instead of frying them. I drizzle some olive oil, and use various steak spices like Montreal Steak Spice, Blazing Pepper Bourbon, or Cajun, maybe some Parmesan. Be inventive. The herbs and spices added when frying or BBQing are limitless. Parmesan, steak spice, olive oil for sure, garlic, rosemary, steak spice. mmmmm

Don Henwood added:
Another, sometimes under-rated seasoning item is Mrs. Dash. There are a number of different ìflavoursî now.

*Ted's Note: You can also smash the cooked potatoes onto a well-oiled cookie sheet, baste with a little more olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper and desired spices and herbs. Bake in a 450 degree oven for about 20 minutes.

Contributed by Randy (VicBCGuy)