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Cook the Book: Potato Skillet Pie

Posted by Robyn Lee, November 20, 2007 at 2:15 PM

A potato on its own is a rather boring lump, but chop it up, mix it with butter, eggs, garlic and sage crust, bake it in a bread crumb or Parmesan cheese-dusted skillet and you end up with Deborah Madison's drool-inducing potato skillet pie. Admittedly, anything combined with those ingredients would probably taste good, but the neutral quality of potatoes allows them to combine well with everything. Madison suggests add-ons such as sautéed artichokes, broccoli rabe, fried onions, or cheese. You can also top your potato pie with tomato sauce or applesauce and sour cream.

Potato Skillet Pie

- makes 4 to 6 servings -

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter or oil
1 cup bread crumbs or 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for the pan
Scant 2 pounds Yellow Finn or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chunked
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2 garlic cloves
4 eggs, lightly beaten with a little water
3 tablespoons chopped sage

Procedure

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Put a 10-inch cast-iron skillet in the oven with a tablespoon of the butter until melted. Brush it around the pan, then scatter bread crumbs or Parmesan cheese into it to make a crust for the potatoes.

2. Put the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Add a teaspoon of salt, bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. While they're cooking, smash the garlic in a mortar with 1/2 teaspoon salt until smooth.

3. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the garlic and remaining butter and mash. Taste for salt and pepper, making sure the potatoes are highly seasoned. Then stir in the eggs and sage, transfer the mass to the skillet, and smooth the top. Bake until golden and pulling away from the sides of the pan, about 45 minutes. Remove, let stand for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge and unmold onto a serving plate.

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Tags: Cook the Book, Deborah Madison, potatoes, vegetarian, Vegetarian Suppers from Deborah Madison's Kitchen