Precooking the potatoes in the microwave creates a really crusty outside and a moist and delicate inside on this delicious potato side dish. This potato dish rivals home fries found in diners and restaurants.
This recipe makes 4 servings of red skin potato home fries. Use thin skinned new potatoes in this recipe, older potatoes should be peeled before making into hash browns and home fries.
Ingredients for Red Skin Potato Home Fries
- 4 cups red skin potatoes - scrubbed well and diced
- 2 shallots - chopped fine
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Directions for Red Skin Potato Home Fries
- Place the diced potatoes in a microwave safe bowl and toss with the olive oil.
- Tightly cover the bowl of potatoes with plastic wrap.
- Place the bowl of potatoes in the microwave and cook for approximately 5-7 minutes, or until just tender.
- While the potatoes are precooking in the microwave, use a small bowl to toss together the salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and discard the plastic wrap.
- Pat the potatoes dry with paper towel to remove excess oil.
- Toss the precooked potatoes with the spice mixture.
- Place the butter in a large frying pan over medium high heat.
- As soon as the butter has melted, add the potato mixture to the pan.
- Cook for 5-10 minutes, and then use a spatula to flip the potatoes over.
- Stir in the shallots and garlic, and cook the potatoes for another 5-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
- When the potatoes have browned evenly, and are crispy on the outside, remove to a large serving platter.
- Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired, prior to serving.
Recipe Tips and Suggestions
1. For a really decadent addition to the home fries, sprinkle a bit of crumbled bacon on top before serving. A bit of reserved bacon grease can be used in place of the butter that is called for in this recipe.
2. The red skin potato home fries can be placed in a large serving dish, and served buffet style at a brunch.
3. Right before serving, sprinkle some chopped chives, or finely chopped green onion on top of the home fries.
4. Other potatoes, such as russets or Yukon gold, can be used instead of the red skin potatoes. If using potatoes other than red skin, the skin can be left on, or peeled off, according to personal preference.
5. For hot and spicy home fries, add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and a finely chopped jalapeno pepper to the recipe.
Lynn Smythe - ABOUT THE WRITER Born and raised in Rochester, New York, freelance writer Lynn Smythe obtained her bachelor's degree in Geology from ...
