Maple Scalloped Candy Potatoes

Maple scalloped candy potatoes are a kind of facet dishes that turns heads when it hits the desk. Appears to be like gourmand, tastes superb, and it’s nonetheless straightforward to make. Skinny slices of candy potatoes are layered and baked in a creamy maple sauce with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Because it bakes, the sauce bubbles and thickens, the sides of the candy potatoes flip golden, and the entire pan turns into utterly irresistible.

For a fast model of the normal, strive my weeknight scalloped potato recipe.

This recipe is all about protecting issues easy with out giving up taste. I skip the canned soup and make a fast cream sauce from scratch, utilizing maple syrup (the actual sort), cinnamon, and a contact of nutmeg. It’s straightforward to prep forward of time, and the leftovers (when you have any) are simply nearly as good the following day. It’s a kind of sides that makes you wish to return for seconds, and possibly even thirds!

Ingredient Notes

• Candy Potatoes: Search for medium-sized candy potatoes with the orange flesh. Slice them about 1/8-inch thick for even cooking. A mandoline makes this a lot quicker, however a pointy knife works too.
• Salted Butter: In the event you’re utilizing unsalted butter, simply add an additional pinch of salt to the sauce.
• All-Goal Flour: Helps thicken the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: You need to use half-and-half in a pinch, however the sauce will probably be thinner.
• Complete Milk: Balances out the richness of the cream. Keep away from utilizing skim or low-fat milk for finest outcomes.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Use actual maple syrup, not pancake syrup. Pancake syrup is way too candy.
• Floor Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Only a pinch of every provides taste with out overpowering the dish.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness of the maple.
• Salted Butter (for topping): Dotting the highest with just a few items of butter helps every little thing brown and bubble up fantastically.
• Chopped Pecans (optionally available): Provides somewhat crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
• Contemporary Thyme Leaves (optionally available): These are largely for garnish, however they add a pop of colour and somewhat earthy taste that goes very well with the maple.

Slicing Candy Potatoes

It’s vital that your candy potato slices are all roughly the identical thickness. Your aim is slices about 1/8-inch thick.

A mandoline slicer is a favourite instrument for this. It’s quick, straightforward to make use of, and offers you tremendous constant outcomes.

A sharp knife works nice too. It takes somewhat extra time, however so long as you slice rigorously and goal for a similar thickness, you’ll be simply high-quality.

A meals processor with a slicing blade is one other nice possibility. It does all of the be just right for you and is particularly useful for those who’re making a giant batch.

In case your field cheese grater has a slicer facet, that may work simply high-quality. It’s not fairly as exact, however it’ll nonetheless get the job achieved. Simply make do with what you might have.

Variations and Add-ins

There’s nonetheless room to make this recipe your personal. Nothing sophisticated, however choices to change issues up.

For a extra savory herby taste, sprinkle in some contemporary chopped rosemary or sage with the cream sauce.

You would additionally sprinkle a little bit of shredded gruyère or parmesan cheese excessive for a salty, tacky end. Simply needless to say cheese will brown quicker, so you could wish to loosely tent with foil close to the top of baking.

Baking Dish Dimension Choices

This recipe is written for the standard 9×13-inch baking dish, however it’s straightforward to adapt for any pan. In relation to casserole dishes (not rectangular), you’ll want a 3-quart dish. Simply test for doneness by inserting a knife into the middle. It ought to slide in simply with no resistance.

For a smaller batch, you may halve the recipe and bake it in an 8×8 or 9×9-inch dish. Regulate it close to the top of baking since thinner layers could prepare dinner a bit quicker.

Pecans and Thyme Elective

The chopped pecans and contemporary thyme on prime are utterly optionally available, however they do up the flowery issue. The pecans give somewhat crunch and a nutty distinction to the creamy potatoes, whereas the thyme provides the herby taste that balances the sweetness.

In the event you’re serving this for a extra informal meal, be happy to depart them off. However for those who’re making this for a vacation or wish to fancy it up a bit, these ultimate touches make it really feel somewhat extra gourmand.

Why Dot With Butter

Dotting the highest with butter may appear to be a small step, however it performs an vital position in how the dish bakes. Because the butter melts, it helps stop the highest layer of candy potatoes from drying out by including moisture and fats.

It additionally promotes even browning and caramelization on the floor, because of the milk solids and sugars naturally current in butter. This provides the dish a extra golden colour and a littl additional taste.

Make Forward Directions

It is a improbable dish to make forward, particularly through the holidays. To prep prematurely, assemble all the dish as directed, however cease earlier than baking. Cowl tightly with foil and refrigerate for as much as 24 hours.

Once you’re able to bake, let the dish sit out at room temperature for about half-hour whereas the oven preheats. Bake as directed, including an additional 5 to 10 minutes if wanted to make sure it’s heated during.

Serving Ideas

This dish matches proper into any vacation feast, however it’s simply as at dwelling on our Sunday dinner desk. Serve it alongside roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a juicy pork loin.

It additionally goes nicely with easy vegetable sides like inexperienced beans, Brussels sprouts, or an arugula salad. Add a basket of heat brioche rolls or cornbread and also you’ve obtained a meal that’s able to impress.