PROJECT 21

POTATO FANS

Finished Potato Fan

This is a great recipe for kids, both because it is a simple recipe that most kids can do with a minimum of supervision, but also because it is something most kids will eat. I know I have a toddler who loves them.

From my research into this recipe, I have come to the conclusion that the proper name is probably Hasselback potatoes, since this recipe most likely originated at A Swedish inn named the Hasselbacken.

Since this is nothing more than a fancy baked potato, the best potatoes to use are Russet or Idaho potatoes. I have tried others, but I always get the best result from baking varieties.

Once you get the basic variety down, feel free to add any additional like herbs, crusts, or cheese toppings during the baking process.

The Basic Ingredients

Ingredients:

•   4 med. potatoes (for best results use uniformly sized oblong potatoes)

•    ¼ lb. butter (I normally use a mix of half butter/half oil)

•   Coarse Salt

Optional

•   ¼ cup cheese

•   Herb Blend (¼ teaspoon basil, ¼ teaspoon marjoram, ¼ teaspoon pepper)

Procedure:

1.     Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

2.     Oil a large shallow glass baking dish or cookie sheet.

Melted Butter/Oil Mix

3.     Melt butter and mix it half/half with olive oil, if desired.

4.     Rinse and scrub the potatoes thoroughly.

Cut this slice out of potato so it will sit flat and not roll

5.     Cut a thin slice along the long axis of the potato so that it will not roll.

6.     Place two long handled wooden spoons or other equally sized round utensils on either side of the potato (this keeps your cuts equal without slicing through the potato).

Cut uniform slices without cutting all the way through the potato

7.     Using a sharp knife, slice each potato crosswise into multiple ¼-inch thick slices, cutting down vertically (the thinner you cut the crispier the finished product).

8.     As you finish cutting each potato, drop it into cold water to prevent discoloring.

9.     Gently flex the potato fans open while rinsing under cold running water.

10.   Dry potatoes well before baking.

Brush with melted butter/oil mix

11.   Brush each potato with butter.

12.   Season with salt and herb blend.

13.   Place potatoes in the oiled baking dish or cookie sheet and bake 30 minutes.

14.   Remove from oven and brush again with oil—at this point add cheese if desired.

15.   Return to oven and bake an additional 30 minutes. Potatoes are done when the internal temperature is 200 degrees F.

16.   Remove from the oven.

17.   Drizzle with remaining melted butter.

Yield:

Serves 4

Lesson Learned:

This is really nothing more than a fancy way to make a baked potato. It is very simple, but it looks fancy, which illustrates that skill can add value.

It also teaches planning, especially if cooking with other items. The first time I made this recipe, I skimmed it and missed the second cooking time and went ahead with my shorter cooking items, which really messed the timing up on my dinner.

Additionally, this is a great recipe for your child to make when dining with others. It is sure to be commented on which will definitely make them feel good about the effort they added to the recipe.