HOT POTATOES

For April Bloomfield, the crisp potatoes and caramelized onions called Potatoes Lyonnaise are "the ultimate home fry."

She was first introduced to them at cooking school in Birmingham, England. After traveling to France, she perfected this version by adding chopped garlic, lemon juice and crushed red pepper.

INGREDIENTS:

 

1.      1 tablespoon unsalted butter 

2.      1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 

3.      2 medium onions, thinly sliced 

4.      Salt

5.      2 baking potatoes (1 3/4 pounds), peeled and sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick

6.      1/4 cup rendered duck, goose or pork fat or melted unsalted butter

7.      1 large garlic clove, chopped

8.      Freshly ground black pepper

9.      Pinch of crushed red pepper

10.   2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

11.   2 tablespoons chopped parsley 

METHOD:

1.      In a medium saucepan, melt the butter in the olive oil. Add the sliced onions and a large pinch of salt. Cover and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft and golden, about 20 minutes. 

2.      Meanwhile, put the potato slices in a large saucepan of water, add a large pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately high heat until the potatoes are just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain the potatoes and spread the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet; let cool to room temperature. Gently pat the potato slices dry. 

3.      In a large nonstick skillet, heat the duck fat. Add the potato slices and cook over moderately high heat until they are browned and crisp, about 6 minutes on each side. Add the chopped garlic and shake it in the skillet until just golden, about 30 seconds. Add the cooked onions and season them with salt and black pepper. Gently stir in the crushed red pepper and lemon juice. Transfer the potatoes and onions to a platter, sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve right away.

The Kinks: Hot Potatoes (Link) 

Note:  I was dreaming of potatoes and listening to this song, which I’ve always loved, and thought April Bloomfield’s recipe, excerpted from Food & Wine magazine, looked very, very good.  The painting, The Sower, is by Jean-François Millet, was painted in 1850-51 and hangs in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore.