Garlic Roasted Potatoes | Cartofi la Cuptor
Potatoes and chopped dill are such a common side dish in Romania, that I've never thought of posting this recipe by itself. But after having been singled-out as the best recipe at several dinners with friends, I thought it deserves its own spot. Here, the basic dish is further complemented with green garlic and bacon pieces, for a result that boasts both great taste and enhanced colorful presentation.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds of potatoes
- Fresh dill
- Bacon (3-4 strips)
- 1-2 green garlic plants
- Cooking oil
- Spices: salt, pepper, chili pepper
Preparation:
- First, use a pan to fry the bacon strips (no oil is needed, just heat up the pan and cook the bacon on both sides until they turn a nice red color). When ready, remove from the pan, and tear the strips into smaller bite-size pieces.
- Wash and peal the potatoes, then cut them in cubes. We'll first boil them to get them soft on the inside, then broil them at high heat to add a nice crust all around.
- Bring water to a boil. Add the potato cubes, and keep boiling for about 15-20 minutes. The potatoes are done when a toothpick easily goes through them, but they are not yet mushy (if you boil them for too long, they'll start falling apart). Use a colander to discard the water.
- Heat the oven to 500F. Take a baking pan, and lightly coat it with oil (to prevent the potatoes from sticking to the bottom). Add the potatoes, and place the pan in the oven for about 15-20 minutes (or until you see the potatoes starting to take a nice caramel color). Use a spatula to turn the potatoes, and sprinkle the spices (salt, pepper, and chili pepper) all over. Place back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes.
- While the potatoes are cooking, chop about a cup of fresh dill, and 1-2 green garlic plants.
- In the end, mix together the potatoes, bacon, dill, and garlic.
- Serve immediately.
Presentation:
- The dish has plenty of colors and can provide for a great presentation all by itself. However, a delicious steak and a glass of cold beer can greatly enhance the presentation. :)
About author
I cook to relax, to make family and friends happy, to recreate favorite dishes I've enjoyed in the past, or to discover new concoctions. I use my creativity to prepare authentic Romanian and Eastern-European dishes with ingredients easily found in grocery stores outside of this geographic area. I put emphasis on flavor and ease of preparation. I find joy in knowing that others have a chance to try out some of these recipes. I'd love to hear back your thoughts on my posts: my email is liviutzu@gmail.com. Don't be a stranger. :)
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