Maple Scalloped Candy Potatoes

Maple scalloped candy potatoes are a type of aspect dishes that turns heads when it hits the desk. Seems to be connoisseur, tastes superb, and it’s nonetheless straightforward 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 utterly irresistible.

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

This recipe is all about protecting 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 sort), cinnamon, and a contact of nutmeg. It’s straightforward to prep forward of time, and the leftovers (when you have any) are simply nearly as good the subsequent day. It’s a type of sides that makes you wish 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: In the event 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 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 a number of items of butter helps every little thing brown and bubble up fantastically.
• Chopped Pecans (non-obligatory): Provides a little bit crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
• Contemporary Thyme Leaves (non-obligatory): These are largely for garnish, however they add a pop of shade and a little bit earthy taste that goes rather well with the maple.

Slicing Candy Potatoes

It’s necessary 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 device for this. It’s quick, straightforward to make use of, and provides you tremendous constant outcomes.

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

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

In case your field cheese grater has a slicer aspect, that may work simply positive. It’s not fairly as exact, however it’ll nonetheless get the job completed. 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 change issues up.

For a extra savory herby taste, sprinkle in some recent 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 take into account that cheese will brown quicker, so you might wish to loosely tent with foil close to the top of baking.

Baking Dish Measurement Choices

This recipe is written for the standard 9×13-inch baking dish, however it’s straightforward to adapt for any pan. Relating 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. Keep watch over it close to the top of baking since thinner layers could cook dinner a bit quicker.

Pecans and Thyme Elective

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

In the event you’re serving this for a extra informal meal, be happy to depart them off. However in the event you’re making this for a vacation or wish to fancy it up a bit, these last touches make it really feel a little bit extra connoisseur.

Why Dot With Butter

Dotting the highest with butter would possibly appear to be a small step, however it performs an necessary position 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 additional taste.

Make Forward Directions

This can be a unbelievable dish to make forward, particularly throughout the holidays. To prep prematurely, 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 through.

Serving Options

This dish suits 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 obtained a meal that’s able to impress.