Maple Scalloped Candy Potatoes

Maple scalloped candy potatoes are a kind of aspect dishes that turns heads when it hits the desk. Appears to be like gourmand, 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 perimeters of the candy potatoes flip golden, and the entire pan turns into utterly irresistible.

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

Why My Recipe

• Candy and creamy and flavorful due to actual maple syrup, cinnamon, and cream.
• Appears to be like 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 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 actual type), cinnamon, and a contact of nutmeg. It’s straightforward to prep forward of time, and the leftovers (in case you have any) are simply nearly as good the subsequent day. It’s a kind of sides that makes you wish to return for seconds, and possibly 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: In case 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 will probably 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 couple of items of butter helps all the things brown and bubble up fantastically.
• Chopped Pecans (optionally available): Provides a bit of crunch and a toasty, nutty taste.
• Contemporary Thyme Leaves (optionally available): These are principally for garnish, however they add a pop of shade and a bit of earthy taste that goes rather well with the maple.

Slicing Candy Potatoes

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

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

In case your field cheese grater has a slicer aspect, that may work simply high quality. It’s not fairly as exact, however it’ll nonetheless get the job executed. Simply make do with what you could have.

Variations and Add-ins

There’s nonetheless room to make this recipe your individual. Nothing difficult, however choices to change issues up.

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

You would additionally sprinkle a little bit of shredded gruyère or parmesan cheese excessive for a salty, tacky end. Simply take into account that cheese will brown sooner, so it’s possible you’ll 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 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. Control it close to the tip of baking since thinner layers could cook dinner a bit sooner.

Pecans and Thyme Non-compulsory

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

In case you’re serving this for a extra informal meal, be at liberty to go away them off. However if you happen to’re making this for a vacation or wish to fancy it up a bit, these closing touches make it really feel a bit of extra gourmand.

Why Dot With Butter

Dotting the highest with butter would possibly look like a small step, however it performs an necessary function in how the dish bakes. Because the butter melts, it helps forestall the highest layer of candy potatoes from drying out by including moisture and fats.

It additionally promotes even browning and caramelization on the floor, due to the milk solids and sugars naturally current in butter. This offers the dish a extra golden shade and a littl additional taste.

Make Forward Directions

It is a unbelievable dish to make forward, particularly in the course of the holidays. To prep upfront, assemble the 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 during.

Serving Options

This dish suits 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 nicely 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 acquired a meal that’s able to impress.