If you sear potatoes, then simmer them in liquid with
aromatic vegetables—just as you would meat—the result
is a simple stew with a texture that’s tough to beat. Try
this recipe with small heirloom potatoes like fingerlings.
Other vegetables or fruits you can use: any root vegetable
or winter squash or even apples.
2 pounds all-purpose or waxy potatoes
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 small onion, minced
2 cups stock or water
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish
How to make
Braised Potatoes
Peel the potatoes and cut them into large chunks,
in half if they’re midsized, and leave them whole if they’re
small.
Put the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
When hot, add the potatoes and sprinkle with salt and
pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until coated in oil
and beginning to turn golden. Add the onion and stir a
few times until it softens, a minute or two.
Add the stock and enough water so that the potatoes
are barely covered. Bring to a boil, stirring once in a
while to make sure the potatoes aren’t sticking, then turn
the heat to medium-low so that the mixture bubbles
gently. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes get
tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
Add more liquid if they start to
stick. The potatoes are done when a skewer or sharp knife
inserted into one meets almost no resistance. Taste and
adjust the seasoning, garnish with parsley, and serve hot
or at room temperature.
Braised Potatoes and Garlic.
Omit the onion. Peel 1 or 2
heads of garlic and add them along with the potatoes
in Step 2. Proceed with the recipe, garnishing with
grated Parmesan if you like.
Wine-Braised Potatoes with Bacon.
Add 4 ounces
chopped bacon. Substitute white wine for half the
stock. Omit the oil, along with the onions too if you
like. In Step 1, start cooking the bacon, and when
some of the fat has rendered, add the potatoes. Proceed
with the recipe.
Cream-Braised Potatoes
Use butter instead of olive oil.
Instead of the stock or water, use cream, and use milk
to finish covering the potatoes in Step 3. When the
potatoes are done, stir in 1 tablespoon minced fresh
tarragon or chervil if you like, instead of the parsley
garnish, and serve hot.
Braised Potatoes with Kielbasa.
Make this with beer as
in the following variation if you like: Add 1 pound
sliced kielbasa along with the onion in Step 2.
Beer-Braised Potatoes with Horseradish and Cheddar.
Toss 1 cup grated cheddar cheese with 1 tablespoon of
cornstarch. Instead of the stock, use beer or milk.
When the potatoes are almost done, stir in the cheese
mixture and a tablespoon or more of grated fresh or
prepared horseradish. Add more beer or milk if the
potatoes look too dry; they should be a little saucy.
Stir until the cheese melts. Garnish and serve hot.
Braised Potatoes with Mustard.
When you add the stock
in Step 3, stir in 1/4 cup of any mustard, coarseground
or Dijon.
Braised Curried Potatoes in Coconut Milk.
Replace the
olive oil with a neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn. Add
1 tablespoon each finely chopped fresh ginger and
garlic and 2 teaspoons curry powder or garam masala
. Instead of the
stock, use coconut milk. Proceed with the recipe, stirring in a cup or so
fresh or frozen green peas if you like; they need only
about 3 minutes to cook. Garnish with chopped fresh
cilantro instead of the parsley and minced fresh Thai
chile if you like.
Soy-Braised Potatoes.
Instead of the olive oil, use 1
tablespoon dark sesame oil and 2 tablespoons neutral
oil, like grapeseed or corn. Instead of the stock, use a
mixture of 1/4 cup soy sauce and 13/4 cups water. Trim
and chop a bunch of scallions and use that instead of
the onion. Proceed with the recipe (don’t add salt
until the potatoes are just about done and taste first,
using salt or more soy). Garnish with cilantro instead
of parsley and sprinkle with sesame seeds and minced
fresh chile.
Braised Potatoes with Miso.
Use neutral oil, like grapeseed
or corn, instead of olive oil. Omit the onion, and
instead of the parsley, use sliced scallion for garnish.
Proceed with the recipe through Step 3, taking care
not to oversalt. When the potatoes are done, remove
from the heat. Whisk together 1/2 cup warm stock or
water and stir in 1/4 cup any miso; add this mixture to
the potatoes and stir well to combine and warm
through. Taste, adjust the seasoning, garnish, and serve.