The Showstopper: Hasselback Potatoes
If you want a potato dish that looks as impressive as it tastes, the Hasselback is your answer. Originating in a Swedish restaurant, this method involves slicing a whole potato into thin, accordion-like fans, making sure not to cut all the way through.
As it bakes, the slices separate, creating a spectacular texture that’s the best of all worlds: the crispy edges of a chip on top, with a soft, baked potato interior. Drizzled with butter or oil and seasoned simply, the heat gets into every nook and cranny, resulting in a side dish that’s both a conversation starter and incredibly satisfying. You can place chopsticks or spoons on either side of the potato as a guide to prevent cutting completely through.
The Elegant Classic: Fondant Potatoes
Fondant potatoes, or 'pommes fondantes', sound fancy for a reason. This classic French technique transforms the potato into something truly luxurious. The process involves cutting potatoes into thick, uniform cylinders, browning the flat ends in a pan until golden, and then slowly cooking them in the oven with butter and stock until they are exquisitely tender. The result is a potato with a beautifully crisp crust on the top and bottom, while the inside essentially steams in the flavourful liquid, becoming so soft it practically melts in your mouth. It’s a restaurant-quality side dish that requires a little patience but delivers an unforgettable, creamy texture.
The Crunchy Contender: Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Do not confuse these with mashed potatoes. Smashed potatoes are in a league of their own. The method is delightfully simple: small potatoes are boiled until tender, then placed on a baking sheet and firmly 'smashed' with the bottom of a glass or a potato masher until they are flattened. This creates a huge amount of surface area with lots of rough, craggy edges. When roasted at a high heat with olive oil and salt, those edges become irresistibly crunchy and golden brown, while the inside remains fluffy. They are the perfect combination of a roasted potato and a French fry, offering an immensely satisfying crunch with every bite.
The Ultimate Indulgence: Gratin Dauphinois
For pure, unadulterated comfort, nothing beats a Gratin Dauphinois. Another gift from French cuisine, this dish consists of thinly sliced potatoes layered in a baking dish and slow-baked in cream, milk, and garlic. Crucially, the potato slices aren't washed, so their natural starch helps to thicken the cream into a rich, velvety sauce as it bakes. Often topped with grated cheese like Gruyère, the potatoes become incredibly tender, absorbing all the decadent flavours of the cream and garlic, all under a bubbly, golden-brown crust. It’s a luxurious, deeply satisfying dish that proves some of the best things in life are rich.
The Fiery Favourite: Aloo Chaat
For a completely different and vibrant twist, look no further than Aloo Chaat. A beloved street food in India, this dish takes boiled and fried potato cubes and turns them into a flavour explosion. The crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside potato pieces are tossed in a mix of spices, including tangy chaat masala and red chilli powder. Then, they are often mixed with chutneys, like sweet tamarind and fresh green chutney, and topped with chopped onions, fresh coriander, and sometimes crunchy sev or pomegranate seeds. The result is a dynamic dish that hits every note: spicy, sweet, sour, and savoury. It’s a world away from a simple roast potato and a perfect showcase of the vegetable's incredible range.
