A couple of weeks ago my mom bought me a new cookbook as a little present, not really for anything special, but rather just because she thought I would like it. It really is the little things!
As I was flipping through the pages, I was struck by a recipe for mashed potatoes which used ginger, mustard seeds and turmeric. I had been wanting to make a version of smashed potatoes for some time and thought: “Why not combine the two?” Really, how can you not like a smashed potato that is flaky on the inside and crispy on the outside?! Hello!
So, I made a spice mixture inspired by Padma’s mashed potatoes but using the smashed and re-baked concept that Cheap Recipe Blog and White on Rice Couple showcased so beautifully.
What resulted was what my family declared, “one of the best things they ever ate”. So, of course, because this is how these type of things happen, even though I wrote down the recipe in detail, it somehow got lost. Can you believe that?!
A week or so later, I tried recreating it when a friend was in town and it was good but not quite as fabulous as the first time. After a couple tweaks, I finally got it {again} and am excited to share them with you!
These are so tasty, a bit different, really hard to resist and I think you are going to love them!
If you eat chicken, I think these potatoes would be excellent served alongside The Only Oven-Fried Chicken Recipe You Need, Foolproof Roasted Chicken, Indian Chicken Stew, Turmeric Grilled Chicken (Gai Ka-Min) or this {Slow Cooker} Chicken Curry.
NOTES:
- Try to look for smaller sized potatoes, they are easier to work with, you get more crispy surface area to munch on and more per individual serving. 😉
- If these spices are unfamiliar to you or you don’t usually have them in your pantry, try getting just a what you need from the bulk section of your local food store before investing in all of them.
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Masala Smashed Fingerling Potatoes
- 3 pounds fingerling potatoes boiled and cooled
- 2 tablespoons high heat oil such as safflower or canola
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1.5 teaspoons yellow mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
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Place cleaned potatoes in a large pot with a generous scoop of kosher salt.
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Cover with water by a couple of inches and bring to boil. Once boiling, slightly lower light and boil for 30 minutes until tender but not falling apart. Remove to a baking sheet and let cool completely. This is ideally done the day before or early in the morning on the day of cooking to save time and because the potatoes will be much easier to work with if completely cooled.
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Mix oil and spices in a small bowl (big enough to fit one or two potatoes.
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Preheat oven to 450F. Line two baking sheets (I used one large and one small) with tinfoil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Roll each potato in the spice mixture until well coated and set aside on baking sheet. I highly recommend using disposable gloves if you do not want your hands and/or fingernails (manicure!) to turn yellow from the turmeric.
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Use a dough scraper, (I used one like this), the back of your chefs knife or another flat surface to smash each potato, spreading them out on the baking sheets so they have a nice amount of space from each other. If there is any spice mixture left, rub it on the smashed potatoes.
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Bake for 20 minutes, gently flip each potato and rotate the trays. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until crispy.
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Serve hot and Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
My mouth is watering at your recipe Allyssa. I love the spices and can never get enough potatoes. It’s so frustrating when the recipe gets lost. But happy that you found it and shared it with us:)
EverydayMaven says
They are addictive so make sure you have a couple mouths to feed when you make them or you will eat them all 😉
The Squishy Monster says
What a unique way to prepare potatoes! I’m all in =)
EverydayMaven says
A little bit more work b/c of the two-step cooking but totally worth it!
Eha says
Have but rarely eaten potatoes over the last three decades: just sometimes steamed in springtime as an accompaniment to fresh asparagus. Love this recipe, find it fun and shall certainly try 🙂 ! Truly something a little different to the norm!!
EverydayMaven says
I hope you love them 🙂
Shut Up & Cook | The Attainable Gourmet says
I love, love, love Smashed Potatoes…have you tried the ones at Lola? They are excellent!
EverydayMaven says
I have not tried the smashed potatoes at Lola – I’ll have too! Hunger in Fremont also has really yummy ones!
kitchenriffs says
I really like Indian spices, so I know I’d like this. Great job! And I like the idea of smashing the potatoes, too. Really an inspired recipe – thanks so much.
EverydayMaven says
I love Indian spices as well – they really pair up well with the potatoes!
Charu says
I love potatoes..in any form. Esp the way you smashed them. I so like smashed zucchini..
EverydayMaven says
Me too, especially when there are crispy potato skins /edges involved – so good!
Aggie says
I know I would l would love these because a) I love crispy baked potatoes and b) those spices!! These look so delicious.
Love that your mom picked you up a book, just because. My niece has gotten me a few great cookbooks “just because” too, always a treat!
EverydayMaven says
As soon as Fall and Winter hit, I make baked potatoes at least 1x a week, if not more. These are such a great way to mix it up!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love smashed potatoes, great flavors here!
EverydayMaven says
Me too, I love the crispy edges everywhere!
Heather @girlichef says
I love smashed potatoes…and the flavors on these sound EXCELLENT. Absolutely beautiful!
EverydayMaven says
Thank you Heather – there is no question that smashed potatoes have earned a permanent place in my kitchen 🙂
Joanne says
I generally don’t get super excited about potatoes but with all of these awesome spices, I’m pretty enamored!
EverydayMaven says
These potatoes are worth getting excited about Joanne!