Introducing Pommes Anna – the final word French potato cake. Thinly sliced potato, a number of butter, crispy edges, gentle centre, and a giant “wow” second whenever you flip it out. We’ve had fairly just a few of these within the technique of growing it!
Nagi’s Notes
I let loose an audible gasp the primary time JB flipped this out of the pan, preceded by excited screeches that would most likely be heard down the block. We’re speaking pure potato magic right here! Simply 4 substances – potato, butter, salt and pepper. The crispy golden edges are all the pieces. Truthfully, I wish to carry the entire lid off and run away with it!
Pommes Anna
I first discovered about Pommes Anna throughout my second 12 months of culinary college, once I was working at a Michelin-star restaurant in my hometown, Chasselay (close to Lyon). We used to make particular person ones, cooked in small skillets straight on the flat high. Simply one single layer of potatoes, however nonetheless so crisp and buttery. Pommes Anna rapidly turned a type of easy aspect dishes I at all times liked making.
For somewhat backstory – Pommes Anna was created within the late 1800s by chef Adolphe Dugléré at Café des Anglais in Paris. He named it after Anna Deslions, a well known courtesan who dined there typically. It has change into a French traditional that’s nonetheless broadly served at present at each superb eating and family-run rustic bistros.
Now it’s your flip to discover ways to make Pommes Anna. Be affected person, it’s simple and enjoyable to do, and the result’s a show-off dish that appears wonderful each time!
Elements
Solely 4 substances, however the result’s stunning. Pommes Anna is a type of recipes that proves easy meals could be actually particular.
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Potato – Starchy potatoes are one of the best right here. They prepare dinner gentle inside and take in the butter flavour, whereas going crisp on the surface.
– Australia: Sebago (the grime brushed potatoes offered in every single place) are excellent.
– US: Russet
– UK: King Edward or Maris Piper -
Butter – Common unsalted butter. We use it to make clarified butter (simply soften it, then put aside for a couple of minutes. That’s it.) Utilizing Ghee? I personally wouldn’t suggest it (see FAQ why).
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Salt – Simply cooking salt or kosher salt, the identical one we use in nearly all RTE recipes. Seasons every layer and brings out the buttery potato flavour.
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White Pepper – Mild pepper that blends into the potatoes with out leaving black spots. Provides light heat with out taking up the dish. Black pepper works too, however it is possible for you to to see it.
The way to make Pommes Anna
Right here’s easy methods to make Pommes Anna. Simply skinny slices of potato, a number of butter, a little bit of persistence, and also you’ll get that lovely French golden potato “layer cake” each time.
1. Make clarified butter – it’s simpler than it sounds!
Pommes Anna can not exist with out clarified butter! That’s what makes the potato crispy – common butter wouldn’t obtain the identical quantity of crispiness.
Clarified butter is simply melted butter that’s put aside so the milk solids settle on the backside. Then you definately pour off the golden butter fats which is clarified butter. The butter could be melted within the microwave or in a saucepan.
For extra detailed steps, see this publish right here – How To Make Clarified Butter.
2. making the pommes anna
Now let’s assemble the Pommes Anna.
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Butter the pan – Pour 2 tablespoons of the clarified butter right into a 24cm / 9.5” cast-iron skillet and brush it round so the entire base is coated.
When you don’t have a forged iron skillet, see the FAQ for different choices – different pans, cake pans and so on.
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Slice the potatoes – Begin by slicing two or three potatoes 1.5mm / 0.06” thick utilizing a mandolin. It’s finest to slice as you construct in any other case the sliced potatoes flip brown as they’re sitting round.
Shortly type the slices into small, medium and enormous sizes. Do not put them in water. Water washes off the starch, and also you want that starch to make the slices “meld” collectively as they bake.
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Construct the primary layer – Utilizing the medium measurement slices, put one slice within the center, then construct a spiral round it, overlapping every slice by about 3/4. Then, utilizing the bigger slices, make a second spiral across the first one till the entire base is totally and evenly coated. If in case you have medium slices left, you need to use them right here too. The second spiral ought to barely overlap the primary to maintain the ultimate form tidy and agency. Tuck some small slices contained in the tiny hole within the centre, do that for each layer to maintain the center neat.
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Brush / dab with one-third of the clarified butter, ensuring you don’t disturb or carry the slices. Season with a 3rd of the salt and white pepper.
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Construct two extra layers – Repeat the identical spiral sample twice to complete the Pommes Anna, brushing with butter and sprinkling with salt and pepper. Be certain that to make use of all of the butter – in any other case your dish will not be French!
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Bake for 70 minutes coated with a “cartouche”. Take away the cartouche, then bake for one more half-hour, till the highest and edges are deep golden and crisp.
A cartouche is only a spherical piece of baking paper (parchment paper), it protects the highest from drying out too quick and helps management evaporation, so the layers prepare dinner evenly. (See right here for easy methods to make a cartouche).
7. Relaxation the Pommes Anna for 10 minutes on the counter. It should set a bit and might be simpler to flip.
8. Flip it onto a plate, carry the pan and revel in that second when the golden layers seem. Now it’s time to get your fork out and dig into this stunning Pommes Anna!
The way to serve Pommes Anna
The reality is that Pommes Anna would pair with numerous dishes. However STEAK could be my primary reply! Suppose juicy Tomahawk, Skirt Steak and even Prime Rib or Rump Cap. I’d swipe proper for all of them! And it might even be excellent with a easy Roast Rooster, Crispy Pores and skin Fish or Pan Seared Salmon. Selecting could be the toughest half right here! Don’t overlook to additionally serve it alongside one other aspect dish like Garlic Peas or Roasted Asparagus.
And that’s Pommes Anna! Crispy, buttery, and assured to make everybody on the desk go quiet. I prepare dinner it once I want silence from Nagi on the workplace. Please give it a go and don’t overlook to depart suggestions!
Bon appétit! – JB 👨🏻🍳
FAQ – Pommes Anna
No, sorry, the potatoes will flip brown. As soon as they’re sliced, they oxidise quick. This dish is finest made and cooked right away for the nicest color and texture.
Sure! Prepare dinner it totally, let it cool. Then when prepared, reheat within the oven till scorching inside. It reheats fantastically (however I warn you, you may not be capable to get the unique crispiness again).
You don’t have to make use of cast-iron, however it actually is one of the best. It heats evenly and browns like a dream. You may nonetheless use an everyday oven-safe pan or perhaps a cake dish, simply be certain that it’s the identical measurement, round 24cm / 9.5”. The heavier the pan, the higher the crust and color.
You should utilize ghee (ratio is identical) however I’d personally not suggest utilizing it for this recipe. The flavour is stronger and nuttier than clarified butter and it might take over the fragile buttery style we’re after. Clarified butter has a cleaner, extra impartial butter flavour
You may place it below the grill for two–3 minutes on the middle-high shelf to get extra color. Simply be certain that to maintain an in depth eye on it so it. Depart it somewhat longer if wanted.
I began this recipe by myself, doing the analysis and testing the primary couple of variations. Then I talked it by way of with Nagi and her brother Goh, who actually has the largest meals mind out of all of us at RTE. After sharing concepts, I just about nailed it on the third strive. Nagi cooked it as soon as after that to try it out, and I made it two extra instances so we may reply all our little questions and lock it in. Crew effort, traditional RTE type.
Watch How To Make It
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JB’s Pommes Anna
Prep: 30 minutes
Prepare dinner: 1 hour 40 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Whole: 2 hours 20 minutes
Dinner, Facet Dish
French
Servings8
Faucet or hover to scale
Recipe video above. Introducing Pommes Anna – the final word French potato cake. Thinly sliced potato, a number of butter, crispy edges, gentle centre, and a giant “wow” second whenever you flip it out. We’ve had fairly just a few of these within the technique of growing it! When easy substances make stunning end result.
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Directions
ABBREVIATED RECIPE:
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Construct 3 layers of thinly sliced potatoes (1.5mm / 0.06″) in a spiral sample brushing with clarified butter and seasoning as you go. Bake 70 minutes at 200°C / 400°F (180°C fan) coated with cartouche then half-hour uncovered. Relaxation 10 minutes, flip, and revel in!
The way to make Clarified Butter:
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Soften the butter in a saucepan or microwave. Put aside for five minutes till the milk solids choose the underside (white stuff). Scrape off the froth, then slowly pour the clear golden butter by way of a small sieve right into a jug whereas leaving the milk solids behind (discard it). That clear golden butter is your clarified butter.
The way to make Pommes Anna:
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Prep pan – Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F (180°C fan-forced). Brush the bottom of a 24cm / 9.5″ cast-iron skillet with 2 tablespoons of clarified butter. (Observe 3)
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Slice potatoes – Peel potatoes and utilizing a mandolin, slice 2 or 3 potatoes 1.5mm / 0.6″ thick. Shortly type the slices into small, medium and enormous sizes. Don’t put them in water. (Observe 4 + 5)
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Construct the primary layer – Utilizing the medium measurement slices, put one slice within the center, then construct a spiral round it, overlapping every slice by about 3/4. Then, utilizing the bigger slices, make a second spiral across the first one till the entire base is totally and evenly coated. If in case you have medium slices left, you need to use them right here too. The second spiral ought to barely overlap the primary to maintain the ultimate form tidy and agency. Tuck some small slices contained in the tiny hole within the centre, do that for each layer to maintain the center neat.
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Brush / dab generously with clarified butter, taking care to not disturb or carry the slices. Season with a 3rd of the salt and white pepper.
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Construct two extra layers – Repeat the identical spiral sample for two extra layers, brushing with clarified butter and seasoning every layer.
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Cartouche – Place a cartouche (circle of baking paper / parchment paper) on high. (Observe 6)
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Bake for 70 minutes. Take away the cartouche, then bake one other half-hour till the highest and edges are deep golden and crispy.
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Relaxation + flip – Relaxation for 10 minutes on the counter. Flip onto a plate and carry the pan to disclose your stunning Pommes Anna. Serve instantly, happiness doesn’t wait 😊
Recipe Notes:
2. Clarified butter provides higher browning, color and flavour. It additionally has the next smoke level, so it received’t burn when the skillet hits excessive warmth within the oven. To my opinion, Pommes Anna can not exist with out clarified butter! That’s what makes the potato crispy – common butter wouldn’t obtain the identical quantity of crispiness.
Utilizing Ghee? – I personally wouldn’t suggest it (see FAQ why).
3. Solid-iron skillet holds warmth very well, which supplies you that deep golden crust and even cooking. You may nonetheless use an everyday oven-safe pan or perhaps a cake dish, simply be certain that it’s the identical measurement, round 24cm / 9.5”.
4. Mandolin The slices have to be very skinny and precisely the identical thickness, in any other case the layers received’t prepare dinner evenly. It’s tough to be correct constantly with a knife, however you possibly can strive!
5. No water + slice as you go – Don’t put potato slices in water, it washes off the starch, and the layers received’t stick collectively. Additionally don’t slice all of the potatoes directly. They brown rapidly, so slice just a few and place into the pan as you construct the layers.
6. Cartouche – A cartouche is a spherical piece of baking paper / parchment paper that sits on high of the meals to guard it whereas it cooks, letting steam escape however stopping the highest from drying out. See right here for easy methods to make it.
Leftovers: Retailer leftovers within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Reheat in oven at 180°C / 350°F till scorching. (Microwave works however received’t be crisp.)
Vitamin per serving (8 servings).
Vitamin Data:
Energy: 305cal (15%)Carbohydrates: 31g (10%)Protein: 4g (8%)Fats: 19g (29%)Saturated Fats: 12g (75%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 5gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 51mg (17%)Sodium: 304mg (13%)Potassium: 743mg (21%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 597IU (12%)Vitamin C: 34mg (41%)Calcium: 27mg (3%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
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