Introducing Pommes Anna – also referred to as Potatoes Anna – the last word French potato cake. Thinly sliced potato, a lot of butter, crispy edges, comfortable centre, and an enormous “wow” second once you flip it out. We’ve had fairly a number of of these within the strategy of creating it!
Nagi’s Notes
I set free 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 elements – potato, butter, salt and pepper. The crispy golden edges are every thing. Actually, I need to elevate the entire lid off and run away with it!
Pommes Anna
I first realized about Pommes Anna throughout my second 12 months of culinary faculty, after 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 prime. Simply one single layer of potatoes, however nonetheless so crisp and buttery. Pommes Anna rapidly grew to become a type of easy aspect dishes I all the time beloved making.
For a bit 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 widely known courtesan who dined there typically. It has turn out to be a French traditional that’s nonetheless extensively served immediately at each wonderful 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 elements, however the result’s lovely. Pommes Anna is a type of recipes that proves easy meals might be really particular.
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Potato – Starchy potatoes are the perfect right here. They prepare dinner comfortable inside and take in the butter flavour, whereas going crisp on the skin.
– Australia: Sebago (the grime brushed potatoes offered in all places) are good.
– 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 advocate 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 mild heat with out taking on the dish. Black pepper works too, however it is possible for you to to see it.
Tips on how to make Pommes Anna
Right here’s find out how to make Pommes Anna. Simply skinny slices of potato, a lot of butter, a little bit of endurance, 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 might be melted within the microwave or in a saucepan.
For extra detailed steps, see this put up 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.
In the event 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.
Rapidly 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 dimension 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. In case you have medium slices left, you should utilize 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 elevate 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 sure 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 an additional 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 find out how to make a cartouche).
7. Relaxation the Pommes Anna for 10 minutes on the counter. It should set a bit and can be simpler to flip.
8. Flip it onto a plate, elevate the pan and luxuriate in that second when the golden layers seem. Now it’s time to get your fork out and dig into this lovely Pommes Anna!
Tips on how to serve Pommes Anna
The reality is that Pommes Anna would pair with lots of dishes. However STEAK can be my primary reply! Assume juicy Tomahawk, Skirt Steak and even Prime Rib or Rump Cap. I might swipe proper for all of them! And it will even be good with a easy Roast Rooster, Crispy Pores and skin Fish or Pan Seared Salmon. Selecting can be the toughest half right here! Don’t neglect 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 after I want silence from Nagi on the workplace. Please give it a go and don’t neglect 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 immediately for the nicest color and texture.
Sure! Cook dinner it totally, let it cool within the pan. Then when prepared, reheat within the oven till sizzling inside. It reheats fantastically.
You don’t have to make use of cast-iron, nevertheless it actually is the perfect. It heats evenly and browns like a dream. You possibly can nonetheless use an everyday oven-safe pan or perhaps a cake dish, simply make sure that it’s the identical dimension, round 24cm / 9.5”. The heavier the pan, the higher the crust and color.
You should use ghee (ratio is similar) however I might personally not advocate utilizing it for this recipe. The flavour is stronger and nuttier than clarified butter and it could actually take over the fragile buttery style we’re after. Clarified butter has a cleaner, extra impartial butter flavour
You possibly can place it beneath the grill for two–3 minutes on the middle-high shelf to get extra color. Simply make sure that to maintain a detailed eye on it so it. Go away it a bit longer if wanted.
I began this recipe alone, doing the analysis and testing the primary couple of variations. Then I talked it by with Nagi and her brother Goh, who truthfully has the most important 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 might reply all our little questions and lock it in. Group effort, traditional RTE model.
Watch How To Make It
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JB’s Pommes Anna
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook dinner: 1 hour 40 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Complete: 2 hours 20 minutes
Dinner, Facet Dish
French
Servings8
Faucet or hover to scale
Recipe video above. Introducing Pommes Anna – the last word French potato cake. Thinly sliced potato, a lot of butter, crispy edges, comfortable centre, and an enormous “wow” second once you flip it out. We’ve had fairly a number of of these within the strategy of creating it! When easy elements make lovely 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 luxuriate in!
Tips on how 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 a small sieve right into a jug whereas leaving the milk solids behind (discard it). That clear golden butter is your clarified butter.
Tips on how 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. (Be aware 3)
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Slice potatoes – Peel potatoes and utilizing a mandolin, slice 2 or 3 potatoes 1.5mm / 0.6″ thick. Rapidly type the slices into small, medium and enormous sizes. Don’t put them in water. (Be aware 4 + 5)
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Construct the primary layer – Utilizing the medium dimension 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. In case you have medium slices left, you should utilize 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 elevate 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 prime. (Be aware 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 elevate the pan to disclose your lovely Pommes Anna. Serve instantly, happiness doesn’t wait 😊
Recipe Notes:
2. Clarified butter offers 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 advocate it (see FAQ why).
3. Forged-iron skillet holds warmth very well, which supplies you that deep golden crust and even cooking. You possibly can nonetheless use an everyday oven-safe pan or perhaps a cake dish, simply make sure that it’s the identical dimension, round 24cm / 9.5”.
4. Mandolin The slices should be very skinny and precisely the identical thickness, in any other case the layers received’t prepare dinner evenly. It’s troublesome 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 without delay. They brown rapidly, so slice a number of 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 prime of the meals to guard it whereas it cooks, letting steam escape however stopping the highest from drying out. See right here for find out how to make it.
Leftovers: Retailer leftovers within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Reheat in oven at 180°C / 350°F till sizzling. (Microwave works however received’t be crisp.)
Diet per serving (8 servings).
Diet 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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