There’s something oddly satisfying about transforming humble ingredients into a dish that’s so satisfying and delicious. Today, I’m whipping up a skillet of “Poor Man’s Potatoes,” where thinly sliced potatoes meet smoky paprika and just the right crunch, creating a warm hug in comfort-food form. Let’s get cooking!
Poor Man’s Potatoes is a humble yet flavorful dish I love to whip up. This recipe combines potatoes, onions, and garlic in a bold dish that features the addition of smoked paprika and red bell pepper.
Olive oil serves as the perfect medium to carry the flavors of these ingredients. The result is a warm, nutritious, and incredibly cheap dish.
Poor Mans Potatoes Recipe Ingredients
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Poor Mans Potatoes Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 4 large potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make this Poor Mans Potatoes Recipe
1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and pour in the olive oil to coat the bottom.
2. Place the sliced potatoes in the skillet in an even layer, and cook them for roughly 5 minutes without touching them, unless it’s to turn a slice that seems to be getting too brown. You want the potatoes to just start browning, and if your skillet is at the right temperature, they will.
3. Gently mix the potatoes and then add the onion that has been cut into slices. Continue to sauté the potatoes and onion for another 5 minutes, or until the onion starts to lose its color and turn translucent.
4. In a skillet, add minced garlic and optional sliced red bell pepper. Stir occasionally and cook for another five minutes.
5. Add smoked paprika to the blend and season it with salt and freshly ground black pepper to make it palatable.
6. Keep cooking for another 5-10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the potatoes are tender and crispy on the edges.
7. If necessary, taste and adjust the seasoning. Then, take the skillet off the heat.
8. Put the Poor Mans Potatoes into a serving dish.
9. Before serving, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.
10. Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy as a simple main course.
Poor Mans Potatoes Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Large skillet
2. Knife
3. Cutting board
4. Measuring cups
5. Measuring spoons
6. Wooden spoon or spatula
7. Serving dish
8. Tongs (optional, for turning potatoes)
9. Spoon (for stirring)
FAQ
- Can I use other types of potatoes?Indeed, any starchy or waxy potatoes can be employed, but russet or Yukon gold varieties are optimal for achieving the best texture and flavor in the final product.
- Can I add other vegetables?You can definitely add more vegetables such as zucchini or mushrooms for extra variety and nutrition.
- Is there a substitute for smoked paprika?You may substitute with regular paprika or a pinch of reasonably hot cayenne pepper if you don’t happen to have any smoked paprika on hand.
- Can this dish be made ahead of time?You can prepare and partially cook the potatoes beforehand. To make sure they retain crunch, reheat them in a skillet before serving.
- What can I serve with Poor Mans Potatoes?This side dish is perfect with grilled meats, but you can also enjoy it with a fried egg on top as a main dish.
- How do I store leftovers?Leftover food can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days and in an airtight container. To ensure that it does not lose its crunch, reheat it in a skillet.
- Can I make it vegan?This recipe is already vegan, as it utilizes olive oil instead of animal fats. Just select side dishes that are friendly to a vegan diet, if you wish.
Poor Mans Potatoes Recipe Substitutions and Variations
If red bell pepper is unavailable, use green or yellow bell pepper instead. It will provide a different color and a slight flavor variation.
Use vegetable oil or canola oil instead of olive oil as a neutral substitute.
To achieve a different taste, substitute the smoked paprika with regular paprika or opt for cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
For a flavor that’s not so strong, substitute shallots for the garlic or omit it altogether.
If you can’t get fresh parsley, use dried parsley or cilantro.
Pro Tips
1. Uniform Slicing: Use a mandoline slicer to achieve evenly thin slices of potatoes and onions. This ensures they cook uniformly, preventing some pieces from being too crispy while others are undercooked.
2. Preheat the Skillet: Ensure the skillet and oil are adequately heated before adding the potatoes. This helps in achieving a nice crispy texture on the edges without the potatoes sticking to the pan.
3. Layering and Space: Avoid overcrowding the skillet. If necessary, cook in batches. Overcrowding can cause the ingredients to steam rather than sauté, affecting texture and flavor.
4. Timing for Garlic: Add the minced garlic closer to the end of cooking, not at the same time as the onions, to prevent it from burning and becoming bitter. This also enhances its flavor in the dish.
5. Final Texture: For extra crispiness, try leaving the skillet uncovered for the last few minutes of cooking while occasionally turning the potatoes. This will help evaporate excess moisture and enhance the crispy edges.
Poor Mans Potatoes Recipe
My favorite Poor Mans Potatoes Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large skillet
2. Knife
3. Cutting board
4. Measuring cups
5. Measuring spoons
6. Wooden spoon or spatula
7. Serving dish
8. Tongs (optional, for turning potatoes)
9. Spoon (for stirring)
Ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and pour in the olive oil to coat the bottom.
2. Place the sliced potatoes in the skillet in an even layer, and cook them for roughly 5 minutes without touching them, unless it’s to turn a slice that seems to be getting too brown. You want the potatoes to just start browning, and if your skillet is at the right temperature, they will.
3. Gently mix the potatoes and then add the onion that has been cut into slices. Continue to sauté the potatoes and onion for another 5 minutes, or until the onion starts to lose its color and turn translucent.
4. In a skillet, add minced garlic and optional sliced red bell pepper. Stir occasionally and cook for another five minutes.
5. Add smoked paprika to the blend and season it with salt and freshly ground black pepper to make it palatable.
6. Keep cooking for another 5-10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the potatoes are tender and crispy on the edges.
7. If necessary, taste and adjust the seasoning. Then, take the skillet off the heat.
8. Put the Poor Mans Potatoes into a serving dish.
9. Before serving, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.
10. Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy as a simple main course.
