Maple Scalloped Candy Potatoes

Maple scalloped candy potatoes are a type of facet dishes that turns heads when it hits the desk. Appears 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 utterly irresistible.

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

This recipe is all about conserving 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 form), cinnamon, and a contact of nutmeg. It’s straightforward to prep forward of time, and the leftovers (you probably have any) are simply pretty much as good the subsequent 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 quicker, however a pointy knife works too.
• Salted Butter: In the event you’re utilizing unsalted butter, simply add an additional pinch of salt to the sauce.
• All-Function Flour: Helps thicken the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: You need to use half-and-half in a pinch, however the sauce shall 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 couple of items of butter helps all the things brown and bubble up superbly.
• Chopped Pecans (non-obligatory): Provides a little bit crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
• Recent Thyme Leaves (non-obligatory): These are largely for garnish, however they add a pop of colour and a little bit earthy taste that goes very well with the maple.

Slicing Candy Potatoes

It’s necessary 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 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 a little bit extra time, however so long as you slice rigorously and goal for a similar thickness, you’ll be simply high quality.

A meals processor with a slicing blade is one other nice choice. It does all of the be just right for you and is particularly useful for those who’re making a giant batch.

In case your field cheese grater has a slicer facet, that may work simply high quality. It’s not fairly as exact, but it surely’ll nonetheless get the job completed. 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 change issues up.

For a extra savory herby taste, sprinkle in some contemporary chopped rosemary or sage with the cream sauce.

You might additionally sprinkle a little bit of shredded gruyère or parmesan cheese excessive for a salty, tacky end. Simply remember the fact that cheese will brown quicker, so you might wish 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, but it surely’s straightforward to adapt for any pan. In relation to 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 possibly can halve the recipe and bake it in an 8×8 or 9×9-inch dish. Regulate it close to the top of baking since thinner layers could prepare dinner a bit quicker.

Pecans and Thyme Optionally available

The chopped pecans and contemporary thyme on high are utterly non-obligatory, however they do up the flowery issue. The pecans give a little bit crunch and a nutty distinction to the creamy potatoes, whereas the thyme provides the herby taste that balances the sweetness.

In the event you’re serving this for a extra informal meal, be at liberty to depart 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 a little bit extra gourmand.

Why Dot With Butter

Dotting the highest with butter may look like a small step, but it surely performs an necessary 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 offers the dish a extra golden colour and a littl further taste.

Make Forward Directions

This can be a unbelievable dish to make forward, particularly in the course of the holidays. To prep upfront, assemble your complete dish as directed, however cease earlier than baking. Cowl tightly with foil and refrigerate for as much as 24 hours.

Once 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 Options

This dish matches proper into any vacation feast, but it surely’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 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.