Frederic Melton
Breakfast potatoes are a delicious and hearty way to start your day. They can be made in a variety of ways, including crispy or soft, and with a range of different ingredients such as onions, peppers, and cheese. One popular method is to parboil the potatoes, which gives them a soft and fluffy texture, before frying or baking them until golden brown and crispy. Another option is to bake cubed potatoes with cheese on top, creating a delicious and creamy dish. For a more indulgent option, you can create a potato casserole with a homemade cheese sauce, which can be made with a variety of cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss, or feta. This dish can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week, making it a convenient option for busy mornings.
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What You'll Learn
How to make a cheese sauce
- Melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. The amount of butter used can vary, but generally, 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter is a good starting point.
- Once melted, whisk in flour to form a paste, also known as a roux. For a basic sauce, use 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
- Slowly add milk and cook, stirring continuously. The amount of milk added depends on the desired consistency of the sauce. Start with 1 cup of milk and adjust as needed.
- Add shredded or grated cheese to the mixture. Freshly grate the cheese for the best results. The type and amount of cheese used can vary according to preference. A good rule of thumb is to use at least half sharp cheddar cheese for a bold flavor.
- Continue cooking and stirring until the cheese is melted and smooth. This should only take about 1-2 minutes.
Some common additions and variations to a basic cheese sauce include:
- Seasonings such as salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Ground mustard for added flavor.
- Heavy cream instead of, or in addition to, milk.
- Different types of cheese such as Colby jack, mozzarella, provolone, or Swiss cheese.
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Boiling potatoes
To cook cubed potatoes with cheese for breakfast, you'll first need to boil the potatoes. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:
Selecting and Preparing the Potatoes
Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. For buttery and creamy potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes are a great option. They are less starchy than russets, resulting in a more concentrated flavor and creamier texture. If you prefer to use russet potatoes, yellow potatoes, or red potatoes, you can certainly do so, as most varieties will work.
Once you've selected your potatoes, scrub them thoroughly to remove any dirt. You can decide whether you want to peel the potatoes or not; it's optional. After cleaning, cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. This size is important, as smaller pieces may fall apart during boiling.
Boiling the Potatoes
Now, it's time to boil the potatoes. Place the potato cubes in a large saucepan or pot. Add enough cold water to cover the potatoes by about one inch. This water level ensures that the potatoes will be adequately submerged during the boiling process.
At this point, you can also add a tablespoon of kosher salt to the water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. You'll want to monitor the potatoes closely to avoid overcooking them. The potatoes should be boiled until they are fork-tender, which means that a fork can easily pierce the potato without resistance.
As a guide, boiling for approximately 4 to 10 minutes should be sufficient, depending on the size of your potato cubes and the intensity of your heat source. Keep in mind that you want the outsides of the potatoes to be tender while the centers remain slightly firm, as this will create the best texture for your final dish.
Cooling and Preparing for the Next Step
Once the potatoes have reached the desired level of doneness, it's essential to stop the cooking process promptly. Drain the potatoes in a colander and then run cold water over them. You can even add ice cubes to the colander to expedite the cooling process and ensure the potatoes stop cooking.
At this stage, you have the option to create extra-crispy edges on your potato cubes. To do this, gently stir the potatoes with a fork or shake them in the colander. This action will roughen up the edges, resulting in crunchier potatoes once they are cooked again in the next step.
Now, your boiled potatoes are ready to be transformed into a delicious breakfast dish with the addition of cheese and any other desired ingredients. Enjoy!
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Preparing potatoes for roasting
After cutting, you have the option to soak the potatoes in cold water for 20 minutes to an hour. Soaking is not necessary, but it helps to remove excess starch, which can improve the fluffiness of the potatoes. If you decide to soak them, be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.
Next, you'll need to parboil the potatoes. Place them in a saucepan with salted boiling water and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until they are just tender. Drain the water, and return the potatoes to the pan. Cover the pan with a lid and shake the pan vigorously to rough up the surfaces of the potatoes. This step is crucial as it creates a thin slurry of mashed potato that clings to the surface of the chunks, resulting in a crispier texture when roasted.
After the potatoes have been parboiled and roughened, it's time to add some fat. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, duck fat, goose fat, or beef fat, depending on your preference and the desired flavour profile. Place the potatoes in a preheated roasting tray with your chosen fat, and toss gently to coat them evenly.
Finally, roast the potatoes in the oven at a temperature between 350°F and 450°F, depending on your oven and the level of crispness desired. For a darker roast, you can increase the temperature or broil them for a few minutes at the end. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
With these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy roast potatoes as a side dish or a component for your breakfast dish.
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Adding cheese to roasted potatoes
Roasted potatoes are a delicious side dish or breakfast option, and there are several ways to add cheese to this dish. Here are some tips and tricks for achieving the perfect cheesy roasted potatoes:
Choosing the Right Potatoes:
Select a potato variety that holds its shape well during cooking, such as Russets, Yukon Golds, or yellow potatoes. These potatoes tend to keep their structure while also offering a creamy texture.
Preparing the Potatoes:
Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. You can peel them if you prefer, but it's not necessary. To achieve fluffier potatoes, you can soak the cubed potatoes in cold water for 20 minutes to an hour to remove excess starch. After soaking, be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly.
Seasoning and Roasting:
Toss the potatoes with olive oil, butter, or bacon fat to add flavour and help them crisp up. For seasoning, you can use a combination of garlic powder, herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread the potatoes on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven at 425-450°F for 30-40 minutes, or until they are tender and browned.
Adding Cheese:
Now, let's get to the cheesy part! There are a few ways to incorporate cheese into your roasted potatoes:
- Sprinkle shredded or grated cheese over the roasted potatoes after they finish cooking. Cheddar, Parmesan, and feta are excellent options.
- Create a cheese sauce to pour over the potatoes before baking. You can make a simple cheese sauce by creating a roux (a mixture of butter and flour) and adding milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and your choice of cheese. Cheddar, Swiss, or any bold-flavoured cheese will work well.
- For an extra crunchy topping, combine crushed cornflakes with melted butter and sprinkle it over the cheesy potatoes before baking.
Customization and Tips:
Feel free to add additional ingredients to your cheesy roasted potatoes, such as diced ham, steamed broccoli, fried mushrooms, or sautéed bell peppers and onions. If you're preparing this dish ahead of time, you can assemble it up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to bake, simply pop it in the oven and add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time.
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Making potatoes fluffy
To make fluffy potatoes, the type of potato and the mashing technique are important. Russet potatoes, also called baking potatoes, are ideal for mashing as they are more mealy with a high starch content.
To cook the potatoes, start with cold water for best results. Using boiling water can cause the exterior to fall apart before the interior is cooked. Bring the potatoes to a boil and cook until they are fork-tender, then drain the potatoes and press them through a potato ricer into a bowl. A potato ricer is a tool that presses cooked potatoes through small holes, incorporating air to create a fluffy texture. If you don't have a potato ricer, you can use a Food Mill or a hand masher, but avoid using a blender or food processor as these can release too much starch.
To further reduce starch, which can make mashed potatoes gluey, rinse the potatoes after peeling and chopping, and again after boiling. Use lukewarm butter and cream, and gradually fold them into the potatoes until you reach the desired consistency. Avoid whipping the mixture, as this can make it dense. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and garnish with chives if desired.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Boil them in salted water for 7-10 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain the water, then toss the potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes or until browned and tender. Finally, sprinkle grated cheddar cheese on top and bake until the cheese is melted.
You can use a variety of cheeses such as sharp chedder, Swiss, Parmesan, feta, or mild cheese. Pre-shredded cheese also works fine.
Yes, you can assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge until you're ready to bake it. If it's chilled, add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time.
Yes, you can add diced ham, shredded chicken, steamed broccoli, fried mushrooms, or onions and peppers to make it a more filling meal.
To make the potatoes crispy, you can parboil them first and rough up the edges before baking them. You can also fry them for a longer time to achieve the desired crispness.
