Boulangère Potatoes

2h 5m
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Add salt to sliced onions to help them break down and release moisture.
  2. 2Cook gently over medium heat until they are deeply caramelized, about 30 to 40 minutes. Ensure there are no black bits to avoid bitterness.
  3. 3Use a mandolin to thinly slice the potatoes.
  4. 4Melt butter in a microwave for about 20 seconds to clarify it.
  5. 5In the base of an oven-safe pan, spread a layer of the caramelized onions.
  6. 6Add a thin layer of sliced potatoes over the onions.
  7. 7Drizzle some clarified butter and beef stock over the potato layer.
  8. 8Season with salt and pepper.
  9. 9Alternate the direction of the potato slices with each new layer to ensure an even arrangement.
  10. 10Continue layering potatoes, clarified butter, and beef stock, seasoning each layer with salt and pepper as you go.
  11. 11After the last layer of potatoes, season again with salt and pepper, and sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the top.
  12. 12Cut a piece of greaseproof paper to fit the pan, and make a small hole in the center to allow steam to escape. Place the cartouche on top of the layered potatoes.
  13. 13Cover the dish with a heavy plate to weigh down the potatoes.
  14. 14Bake in the oven at 120°C (250°F) for about 1 hour to 1.5 hours.
  15. 15Halfway through the cooking time, flip the plate to ensure even pressure on the potatoes.
  16. 16After 45 minutes to 1 hour of cooking, remove the cartouche and plate.
  17. 17Raise the oven temperature to 130°C (265°F) to allow the beef stock to reduce and the potatoes to caramelize on top.
  18. 18Bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the potatoes are golden and tender.
  19. 19Before the final 5 minutes of cooking, brush the top of the potatoes with more clarified butter and a little beef stock to create a shiny glaze.
  20. 20Add a final sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves for aroma.
  21. 21Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for a few minutes.

Ingredients

  • Agria Potatoes
  • 1 Block of butter
  • Brown Onions
  • Beef Stock
  • Oil
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • fresh thyme leaves

Equipment

mandolinknifemicrowavemicrowavable containeroven-safe panovengreaseproof paperheavy platemetal sheet pan

Tips

  • Do not wash the potatoes after slicing to preserve the starch, which will help the dish bind together.
  • Alternate the direction of the potato slices with each new layer to ensure an even arrangement.
  • When layering the potatoes, try to put smaller potatoes into the center and save slightly larger ones for the outside to make it look daintier.
  • When making the cartouche, make a small hole in the center to allow steam to escape.
  • Cover the dish with a heavy plate to weigh down the potatoes.
  • Halfway through the cooking time, flip the plate to ensure even pressure on the potatoes.
  • Before the final 5 minutes of cooking, brush the top of the potatoes with more clarified butter and a little beef stock to create a shiny glaze.
  • Add a final sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves for aroma in the last 5 minutes of cooking to prevent them from burning.