Crispy Shallots Will Elevate Meat and Potatoes
Meat and potatoes are the most classic, traditional, and basic American meal. But just because it's satisfying doesn't mean that you can't add a twist or two to elevate it into something more special and memorable. With a little smoked salt or a compound butter, you can wow your family or dinner guests. Here are 20 ways to upgrade classic meat and potato dishes.
1. Finish With a Herb Butter
Add a luxurious herb butter to any meat and potatoes to make it more flavorful and add a silky, creamy element. Herb butters are made from softened butter and some combination of garlic, parsley, chives, and some fresh lemon juice. Spoon it over hot steak, chicken, or pork and let it melt away before you enjoy its savory flavors.
2. Smoked Salt Adds Depth
Smoked salt is a simple way to enhance many comfort foods. You need a pinch of smoked salt to add a campfire-like aroma, making mashed potatoes or pan-seared meats more vibrant and punchy.
3. Use a Bold Pan Sauce
Meat is sometimes good enough to speak for itself, but the addition of a sauce can make it truly extraordinary. Try deglazing the pan with broth, red wine, or vinegar to create a sauce. The browned bits are little balls of flavor that turn into a sauce that, when drizzled over meat and potatoes, ties the dish together.
4. Use Aromatic Spices With Potatoes
Include spice blends with spices like smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, coriander, or chili flakes in the preparation of roasted or mashed potatoes. When toasted, these spices create a lovely aroma and contribute to crispy edges.
5. Add Crispy Shallots for Texture
Crispy shallots elevate a meat and potato dish in a way that traditional onions can't. They add a crunchiness, sweetness, and they look gourmet. Sprinkle them over a roast chicken, steak, or any potato dish.
6. Use Compound Butter
Compound butter can add unexpected flavors to any meat or potatoes. Have some fun by experimenting with miso, chipotle, blue cheese, sundried tomatoes, or anchovies.
7. Add Roasted Garlic
Roasted garlic adds sweetness and a level of complexity to classic meat or potato dishes. Spread it over a steak, or incorporate it into a pan sauce to intensify the flavor. The nice thing is that roasting mellows the garlic, making it more buttery.
8. Use a Mix of Potatoes
Instead of going with just one type of potato, use a variety of Yukon Gold, red potatoes, and fingerling potatoes for color and texture diversity. Each bite will be more dynamic with different flavor notes.
9. Add a Umami-Rich Glaze
Give your meat a glossy and flavorful finish with a glaze. Some common ones include soy-honey, balsamic reduction, or Worcestershire-mustard, and don't be scared to experiment to find a combination you love.
10. Finish Potatoes with Citrus Zest
A simple sprinkle of lemon or orange zest brightens meat or potatoes instantly. Citrus zest is perfect for roasted potatoes, potato salad, or a creamy mash. Citrus cuts through the heaviness and adds a punch of freshness.
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11. Try a Crispy Cheese Crust
Top mashed or scalloped potatoes with freshly-grated Parmesan or Gruyere and then let them broil to golden perfection. This crust provides a crunchy and savory texture to soft potatoes.
12. Drizzle With Fresh Herb Oils
Replace basic olive oil with a basil, parsley, chive, or rosemary oil. Drizzle the plate with these vibrant, herbaceous oils to add a chef-like finish, color, and a more concentrated flavor.
13. Serve With a Side of Pickled Vegetables
Perform a quick pickle on onions, cucumbers, or radishes to cut through the richness of meat and potatoes. Pickled vegetables provide a necessary acidity and crunch.
14. Add a Creamy Horseradish or Dijon Sauce
Meat loves a sharp, tangy sauce. Horseradish is the perfect accompaniment to meat, while Dijon is great with chicken or pork. Just don't overdo it, as you risk overpowering the meat.
15. Smash Some Potatoes
Ditch roasted potatoes for an evening and go for some smashed potatoes. All you have to do is boil some potatoes, smash them flat, and then roast them. This cooking technique exposes more surface area and creates crispier edges.
16. Braise Onions in Wine
You have to try this cooking technique. Slow-cook some onions with wine to add sweetness and acidity.
Serve them over a perfectly-cooked steak, chicken thighs, or pork. They add a layer of unexpected flavor.
17. Be Strategic When Using Fresh Herbs
It's common to cook herbs into a dish, but it's just as smart to finish with fresh thyme, tarragon, chives, or dill. The freshness adds brightness and freshness in a way that cooked herbs can't match. They also make most meat and potatoes dishes feel less heavy while providing more visual appeal.
18. Add Some Crunch
Crunch is key to elevating meat and potato dishes. You can go with crispy bacon bits, toasted breadcrumbs, or crushed nuts for a textural contrast. These are perfect for mashed potatoes or tender meats that are cooked medium-rare or rare.
19. Use Infused Cream in Mashed Potatoes
Instead of just using milk or cream with your mashed potatoes, infuse some cream with garlic, bay leaf, fresh herbs, or peppercorns. Add the infused cream to your mashed potatoes for more flavor and warmth.
20. Char Your Vegetables
Add charred leeks, onions, or peppers to your meat for some smokiness and sweetness. Charred vegetables enhance the entire meal, adding depth and a pleasant contrast.
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