Maple scalloped candy potatoes are a type of aspect dishes that turns heads when it hits the desk. Appears to be like gourmand, tastes superb, and it’s nonetheless straightforward to make. Skinny slices of candy potatoes are layered and baked in a creamy maple sauce with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Because it bakes, the sauce bubbles and thickens, the perimeters of the candy potatoes flip golden, and the entire pan turns into fully irresistible.
For a fast model of the standard, strive my weeknight scalloped potato recipe.
Why My Recipe
- Candy and creamy and flavorful because of actual maple syrup, cinnamon, and cream.
- Appears to be like fancy however is tremendous easy to make with easy-to-find substances.
- No shortcuts or canned soup right here simply actual complete meals goodness from begin to end
This recipe is all about holding issues easy with out giving up taste. I skip the canned soup and make a fast cream sauce from scratch, utilizing maple syrup (the true type), cinnamon, and a contact of nutmeg. It’s straightforward to prep forward of time, and the leftovers (when you’ve got any) are simply nearly as good the following day. It’s a type of sides that makes you wish to return for seconds, and perhaps even thirds!
Ingredient Notes
- Candy Potatoes: Search for medium-sized candy potatoes with the orange flesh. Slice them about 1/8-inch thick for even cooking. A mandoline makes this a lot sooner, however a pointy knife works too.
- Salted Butter: When you’re utilizing unsalted butter, simply add an additional pinch of salt to the sauce.
- All-Objective Flour: Helps thicken the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: You should utilize half-and-half in a pinch, however the sauce can be thinner.
- Entire Milk: Balances out the richness of the cream. Keep away from utilizing skim or low-fat milk for greatest outcomes.
- Pure Maple Syrup: Use actual maple syrup, not pancake syrup. Pancake syrup is way too candy.
- Floor Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Only a pinch of every provides taste with out overpowering the dish.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness of the maple.
- Salted Butter (for topping): Dotting the highest with a number of items of butter helps every little thing brown and bubble up fantastically.
- Chopped Pecans (optionally available): Provides just a little crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
- Contemporary Thyme Leaves (optionally available): These are largely for garnish, however they add a pop of colour and just a little earthy taste that goes rather well with the maple.
Slicing Candy Potatoes
It’s essential that your candy potato slices are all roughly the identical thickness. Your aim is slices about 1/8-inch thick.
A mandoline slicer is a favourite software for this. It’s quick, straightforward to make use of, and offers you tremendous constant outcomes.
A sharp knife works nice too. It takes just a little extra time, however so long as you slice rigorously and intention for a similar thickness, you’ll be simply wonderful.
A meals processor with a slicing blade is one other nice choice. It does all of the give you the results you want and is very useful for those who’re making a giant batch.
In case your field cheese grater has a slicer aspect, that may work simply wonderful. It’s not fairly as exact, however it’ll nonetheless get the job performed. Simply make do with what you might have.
Variations and Add-ins
There’s nonetheless room to make this recipe your personal. Nothing sophisticated, however choices to modify issues up.
For a extra savory herby taste, sprinkle in some recent chopped rosemary or sage with the cream sauce.
You can additionally sprinkle a little bit of shredded gruyère or parmesan cheese excessive for a salty, tacky end. Simply understand that cheese will brown sooner, so you could wish to loosely tent with foil close to the tip of baking.
Baking Dish Measurement Choices
This recipe is written for the standard 9×13-inch baking dish, however it’s straightforward to adapt for any pan. On the subject of casserole dishes (not rectangular), you’ll want a 3-quart dish. Simply examine for doneness by inserting a knife into the middle. It ought to slide in simply with no resistance.
For a smaller batch, you possibly can halve the recipe and bake it in an 8×8 or 9×9-inch dish. Regulate it close to the tip of baking since thinner layers might cook dinner a bit sooner.
Pecans and Thyme Non-obligatory
The chopped pecans and recent thyme on high are fully optionally available, however they do up the flowery issue. The pecans give just a little crunch and a nutty distinction to the creamy potatoes, whereas the thyme provides the herby taste that balances the sweetness.
When you’re serving this for a extra informal meal, be happy to go away them off. However for those who’re making this for a vacation or wish to fancy it up a bit, these ultimate touches make it really feel just a little extra gourmand.
Why Dot With Butter
Dotting the highest with butter may look like a small step, however it performs an essential function in how the dish bakes. Because the butter melts, it helps stop the highest layer of candy potatoes from drying out by including moisture and fats.
It additionally promotes even browning and caramelization on the floor, because of the milk solids and sugars naturally current in butter. This offers the dish a extra golden colour and a littl further taste.
Make Forward Directions
This can be a incredible dish to make forward, particularly throughout the holidays. To prep prematurely, assemble your complete dish as directed, however cease earlier than baking. Cowl tightly with foil and refrigerate for as much as 24 hours.
If you’re able to bake, let the dish sit out at room temperature for about half-hour whereas the oven preheats. Bake as directed, including an additional 5 to 10 minutes if wanted to make sure it’s heated all over.
Serving Ideas
This dish matches proper into any vacation feast, however it’s simply as at house on our Sunday dinner desk. Serve it alongside roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a juicy pork loin.
It additionally goes properly with easy vegetable sides like inexperienced beans, Brussels sprouts, or an arugula salad. Add a basket of heat brioche rolls or cornbread and also you’ve bought a meal that’s able to impress.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container or cowl the baking dish tightly with foil. They’ll hold properly within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
Reheat particular person parts within the microwave on a microwave-safe plate. Warmth in 30-second bursts till warmed via. For greatest texture, cowl loosely with a humid paper towel to forestall drying out.
Reheat bigger parts within the oven. Preheat to 350°F and canopy the dish with foil to maintain the highest from overbrowning. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or till scorching and bubbly.
Freezing shouldn’t be really helpful for this recipe, because the cream sauce might separate and alter texture as soon as thawed and reheated.
