Maple Scalloped Candy Potatoes

Maple scalloped candy potatoes are a kind of facet dishes that turns heads when it hits the desk. Seems 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 utterly irresistible.

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

Why My Recipe

• Candy and creamy and flavorful due to actual maple syrup, cinnamon, and cream.
• Seems 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 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 true variety), cinnamon, and a contact of nutmeg. It’s simple to prep forward of time, and the leftovers (when you’ve got any) are simply nearly as good the subsequent 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 sooner, however a pointy knife works too.
• Salted Butter: When 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 shall 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 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 part brown and bubble up fantastically.
• Chopped Pecans (non-compulsory): Provides a bit of crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
• Contemporary Thyme Leaves (non-compulsory): These are largely for garnish, however they add a pop of shade and a bit of 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 aim is slices about 1/8-inch thick.

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

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

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

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

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 recent 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 take into account that cheese will brown sooner, 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 terms of 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 possibly can 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 might prepare dinner a bit sooner.

Pecans and Thyme Non-compulsory

The chopped pecans and recent thyme on high are utterly non-compulsory, however they do up the flowery issue. The pecans give a bit of crunch and a nutty distinction to the creamy potatoes, whereas the thyme provides the herby taste that balances the sweetness.

When you’re serving this for a extra informal meal, be at liberty 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 a bit of extra connoisseur.

Why Dot With Butter

Dotting the highest with butter would possibly seem to be a small step, however it performs an essential function 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, due to the milk solids and sugars naturally current in butter. This provides the dish a extra golden shade and a littl further taste.

Make Forward Directions

This can be a incredible dish to make forward, particularly in the course of 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.

While 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 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 received a meal that’s able to impress.