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 wonderful, and it’s nonetheless simple 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 fully irresistible.

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

Why My Recipe

• Candy and creamy and flavorful due to actual maple syrup, cinnamon, and cream.
• Appears to be like fancy however is tremendous easy to make with easy-to-find substances.
• No shortcuts or canned soup right here simply actual complete meals goodness from begin to end

This recipe is all about maintaining issues easy with out giving up taste. I skip the canned soup and make a fast cream sauce from scratch, utilizing maple syrup (the true variety), cinnamon, and a contact of nutmeg. It’s simple to prep forward of time, and the leftovers (if in case 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 sooner, 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 should utilize half-and-half in a pinch, however the sauce might be thinner.
• Entire Milk: Balances out the richness of the cream. Keep away from utilizing skim or low-fat milk for greatest 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 a couple of items of butter helps every little thing brown and bubble up fantastically.
• Chopped Pecans (non-obligatory): Provides slightly crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
• Contemporary Thyme Leaves (non-obligatory): These are largely for garnish, however they add a pop of colour and slightly earthy taste that goes rather well with the maple.

Slicing Candy Potatoes

It’s necessary 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, simple to make use of, and provides you tremendous constant outcomes.

A sharp knife works nice too. It takes slightly extra time, however so long as you slice fastidiously and goal for a similar thickness, you’ll be simply wonderful.

A meals processor with a slicing blade is one other nice choice. It does all of the be just right for you and is particularly useful should you’re making an enormous batch.

In case your field cheese grater has a slicer facet, that may work simply wonderful. It’s not fairly as exact, nevertheless it’ll nonetheless get the job achieved. Simply make do with what you’ve gotten.

Variations and Add-ins

There’s nonetheless room to make this recipe your individual. Nothing difficult, however choices to modify issues up.

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

You can additionally sprinkle a little bit of shredded gruyère or parmesan cheese excessive for a salty, tacky end. Simply take into account that cheese will brown sooner, so chances are you’ll 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, nevertheless it’s simple to adapt for any pan. In terms of 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’ll be able to 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 cook dinner a bit sooner.

Pecans and Thyme Non-obligatory

The chopped pecans and contemporary thyme on prime are fully non-obligatory, however they do up the flowery issue. The pecans give slightly 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 should you’re making this for a vacation or wish to fancy it up a bit, these closing touches make it really feel slightly extra gourmand.

Why Dot With Butter

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

It additionally promotes even browning and caramelization on the floor, due to 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 incredible dish to make forward, particularly through the holidays. To prep upfront, assemble the whole 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 Strategies

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

It additionally goes properly 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 bought a meal that’s able to impress.