Fondant Potatoes: Deliciously Unique French Delicacy Recipe
Fondant Potatoes are a classic French delicacy featuring russet potatoes perfectly seared and slow-baked in a flavorful broth with butter, garlic, and fresh thyme. This method creates tender, creamy interiors with a golden, caramelized exterior and a luscious, syrupy glaze, making them an elegant and delicious side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes
Cooking Fats
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Broth and Aromatics
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to have it ready for baking the potatoes after searing.
- Prepare the potatoes: Peel the russet potatoes and trim the ends to form cylinders. Cut each potato into approximately 2-inch thick pieces for even cooking.
- Sear the potatoes: Heat the vegetable oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the potato pieces cut-side down and sear for about 4-5 minutes until they develop a golden brown crust.
- Add butter and baste: Flip the potatoes to the other side, add the unsalted butter to the pan, and allow it to melt. Coat the potatoes by spooning the melted butter on them continually for about 2 minutes to enhance the flavor and texture.
- Add broth and aromatics: Pour in broth, enough to submerge the potatoes halfway. Add crushed garlic cloves and fresh thyme sprigs to infuse the potatoes with aroma and taste. Season with salt and pepper according to your preference.
- Bring to a boil and bake: Bring the skillet to a gentle boil on the stovetop. Then carefully transfer the oven-safe skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The potatoes should be tender, and the broth will reduce into a syrupy glaze.
- Rest and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the potatoes to sit for a few minutes to settle. Serve the fondant potatoes directly in the skillet, garnished with fresh thyme sprigs and drizzled with the remaining glaze for a rustic, flavorful presentation.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet to transition easily from stovetop searing to oven baking.
- Russet potatoes are ideal due to their starchy texture, which yields a creamy interior.
- You can substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make this dish vegetarian.
- Be careful not to overcook the potatoes to avoid them becoming too soft or mushy.
- For an extra flavor boost, add a splash of white wine to the broth before baking.
- Keep the garlic crushed, not minced, for mild, subtle flavor without overpowering the dish.
Keywords: fondant potatoes, French potatoes, roasted potatoes, oven-baked potatoes, crispy potatoes, butter potatoes, thyme potatoes, elegant side dish
