Maple Scalloped Candy Potatoes

Maple scalloped candy potatoes are a type of aspect dishes that turns heads when it hits the desk. Seems to be connoisseur, tastes wonderful, 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 sides of the candy potatoes flip golden, and the entire pan turns into utterly irresistible.

For a fast model of the normal, attempt my weeknight scalloped potato recipe.

Why My Recipe

• Candy and creamy and flavorful because of actual maple syrup, cinnamon, and cream.
• Seems to be fancy however is tremendous easy to make with easy-to-find components.
• 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 actual form), cinnamon, and a contact of nutmeg. It’s straightforward to prep forward of time, and the leftovers (when you have any) are simply pretty much as good the following day. It’s a type of sides that makes you need 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: If you happen to’re utilizing unsalted butter, simply add an additional pinch of salt to the sauce.
• All-Goal 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 finest 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 part brown and bubble up superbly.
• Chopped Pecans (optionally available): Provides a bit crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
• Contemporary Thyme Leaves (optionally available): These are largely for garnish, however they add a pop of shade and a bit 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 objective is slices about 1/8-inch thick.

A mandoline slicer is a favourite instrument for this. It’s quick, straightforward to make use of, and provides you tremendous constant outcomes.

A sharp knife works nice too. It takes a bit extra time, however so long as you slice fastidiously and intention for a similar thickness, you’ll be simply wonderful.

A meals processor with a slicing blade is one other nice possibility. It does all of the be just right for you and is very useful in the event you’re making an enormous 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 accomplished. Simply make do with what you might have.

Variations and Add-ins

There’s nonetheless room to make this recipe your personal. Nothing difficult, 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 possibly can additionally sprinkle a little bit of shredded gruyère or parmesan cheese excessive for a salty, tacky end. Simply remember that cheese will brown sooner, so chances are you’ll need to loosely tent with foil close to the top 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. In terms of casserole dishes (not rectangular), you’ll want a 3-quart dish. Simply test for doneness by inserting a knife into the middle. It ought to slide in simply with no resistance.

For a smaller batch, you’ll be able to halve the recipe and bake it in an 8×8 or 9×9-inch dish. Control it close to the top of baking since thinner layers could cook dinner a bit sooner.

Pecans and Thyme Non-compulsory

The chopped pecans and recent thyme on high are utterly optionally available, however they do up the flamboyant issue. The pecans give a bit crunch and a nutty distinction to the creamy potatoes, whereas the thyme provides the herby taste that balances the sweetness.

If you happen to’re serving this for a extra informal meal, be at liberty to go away them off. However in the event you’re making this for a vacation or need to fancy it up a bit, these closing touches make it really feel a bit extra connoisseur.

Why Dot With Butter

Dotting the highest with butter may appear to be a small step, however it performs an essential position 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 provides the dish a extra golden shade and a littl further taste.

Make Forward Directions

It is a incredible dish to make forward, particularly in the course of the holidays. To prep prematurely, assemble your entire dish as directed, however cease earlier than baking. Cowl tightly with foil and refrigerate for as much as 24 hours.

While 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 right through.

Serving Recommendations

This dish matches proper into any vacation feast, however it’s simply as at dwelling on our Sunday dinner desk. Serve it alongside roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a juicy pork loin.

It additionally goes effectively 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 obtained a meal that’s able to impress.