Maple Scalloped Candy Potatoes

Maple scalloped candy potatoes are a kind of aspect dishes that turns heads when it hits the desk. Appears 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 perimeters of the candy potatoes flip golden, and the entire pan turns into utterly irresistible.

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

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 form), cinnamon, and a contact of nutmeg. It’s simple to prep forward of time, and the leftovers (in case you have any) are simply pretty much as good the subsequent day. It’s a kind 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 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-Goal Flour: Helps thicken the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: You should use half-and-half in a pinch, however the sauce will probably 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 a couple of items of butter helps the whole lot brown and bubble up superbly.
• Chopped Pecans (non-obligatory): Provides somewhat crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
• Contemporary Thyme Leaves (non-obligatory): These are largely for garnish, however they add a pop of colour and somewhat earthy taste that goes rather well with the maple.

Slicing Candy Potatoes

It’s vital that your candy potato slices are all roughly the identical thickness. Your purpose 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 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 fantastic.

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

In case your field cheese grater has a slicer aspect, that may work simply fantastic. It’s not fairly as exact, however it’ll nonetheless get the job executed. Simply make do with what you may have.

Variations and Add-ins

There’s nonetheless room to make this recipe your personal. 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 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 quicker, so it’s possible you’ll 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, however 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 possibly can halve the recipe and bake it in an 8×8 or 9×9-inch dish. Regulate it close to the tip of baking since thinner layers could cook dinner a bit quicker.

Pecans and Thyme Non-obligatory

The chopped pecans and contemporary thyme on prime are utterly non-obligatory, 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.

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 need to fancy it up a bit, these closing touches make it really feel somewhat extra gourmand.

Why Dot With Butter

Dotting the highest with butter would possibly look like 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, because of the milk solids and sugars naturally current in butter. This offers the dish a extra golden colour and a littl further 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.

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 right through.

Serving Recommendations

This dish suits proper into any vacation feast, however 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 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.