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 connoisseur, tastes superb, 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 perimeters 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 components.
• No shortcuts or canned soup right here simply actual complete meals goodness from begin to end

This recipe is all about retaining 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 (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 perhaps 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: Should you’re utilizing unsalted butter, simply add an additional pinch of salt to the sauce.
• All-Function Flour: Helps thicken the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: You should utilize half-and-half in a pinch, however the sauce can be thinner.
• Entire 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 much 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 superbly.
• Chopped Pecans (elective): Provides a bit crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
• Recent Thyme Leaves (elective): These are largely for garnish, however they add a pop of colour and a bit 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 objective is slices about 1/8-inch thick.

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

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

A meals processor with a slicing blade is one other nice choice. It does all of the give you the results you want and is very useful if you happen to’re making a giant batch.

In case your field cheese grater has a slicer facet, that may work simply fantastic. It’s not fairly as exact, however it’ll nonetheless get the job carried out. 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 modify issues up.

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

You may 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 might 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 simple to adapt for any pan. In relation to casserole dishes (not rectangular), you’ll want a 3-quart dish. Simply examine 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. Control it close to the top of baking since thinner layers could cook dinner a bit quicker.

Pecans and Thyme Elective

The chopped pecans and contemporary thyme on high are fully elective, however they do up the flamboyant issue. The pecans give a bit crunch and a nutty distinction to the creamy potatoes, whereas the thyme provides the herby taste that balances the sweetness.

Should you’re serving this for a extra informal meal, be at liberty to go away them off. However if you happen to’re making this for a vacation or wish to fancy it up a bit, these ultimate touches make it really feel a bit extra connoisseur.

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 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 offers the dish a extra golden colour and a littl additional taste.

Make Forward Directions

It is a unbelievable dish to make forward, particularly in the course of the holidays. To prep upfront, assemble the complete dish as directed, however cease earlier than baking. Cowl tightly with foil and refrigerate for as much as 24 hours.

If 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 all over.

Serving Recommendations

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 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 received a meal that’s able to impress.