Maple Scalloped Candy Potatoes

Maple scalloped candy potatoes are a type of facet dishes that turns heads when it hits the desk. Appears to be like connoisseur, 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, strive my weeknight scalloped potato recipe.

Why My Recipe

• Candy and creamy and flavorful because of 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 preserving 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 form), cinnamon, and a contact of nutmeg. It’s simple to prep forward of time, and the leftovers (you probably have any) are simply pretty much as good the subsequent day. It’s a type of sides that makes you need 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: If you happen to’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.
• 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 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 just a few items of butter helps every thing brown and bubble up superbly.
• Chopped Pecans (optionally available): Provides somewhat crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
• Recent Thyme Leaves (optionally available): These are principally for garnish, however they add a pop of shade and somewhat earthy taste that goes rather well with the maple.

Slicing Candy Potatoes

It’s essential 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 instrument for this. It’s quick, simple 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 fastidiously and purpose for a similar thickness, you’ll be simply effective.

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 for those who’re making an enormous batch.

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

Variations and Add-ins

There’s nonetheless room to make this recipe your individual. 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 sooner, so you could need to loosely tent with foil close to the tip of baking.

Baking Dish Measurement Choices

This recipe is written for the standard 9×13-inch baking dish, nevertheless it’s simple to adapt for any pan. With regards to casserole dishes (not rectangular), you’ll want a 3-quart dish. Simply verify 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 tip of baking since thinner layers could prepare dinner a bit sooner.

Pecans and Thyme Elective

The chopped pecans and contemporary thyme on high are fully optionally available, however they do up the flamboyant 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.

If you happen to’re serving this for a extra informal meal, be at liberty to depart them off. However for those who’re making this for a vacation or need to fancy it up a bit, these closing touches make it really feel somewhat extra connoisseur.

Why Dot With Butter

Dotting the highest with butter may look like a small step, nevertheless it performs an essential function 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, because of the milk solids and sugars naturally current in butter. This offers the dish a extra golden shade and a littl additional taste.

Make Forward Directions

It is a improbable dish to make forward, particularly through 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.

Whenever 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 Ideas

This dish suits proper into any vacation feast, nevertheless it’s simply as at house 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.