Roasting Baby Potatoes For Fondue: A Quick Guide

Fondue is a French dish that typically consists of melted cheese and is served with bread or vegetables for dipping. Baby potatoes are a great option for roasting and dipping in fondue. To roast baby potatoes for fondue, preheat your oven to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash and dry the baby potatoes, then slice them in half. Place them on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. If desired, add garlic, rosemary, or Italian seasoning. Roast in the oven for 20-40 minutes, until tender and golden. Serve with your favourite cheese fondue and enjoy!

Wash and slice the baby potatoes

Wash your baby potatoes, scrubbing them gently with your hands or a soft brush to remove any dirt. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but it is not necessary, and leaving the skin on can add texture and flavour to your dish.

Once washed, dry the potatoes with a clean tea towel or kitchen paper. You can also leave them to air dry, but this will add time to your preparation.

Next, slice the baby potatoes in half. You can also cut them into bite-sized pieces, but slicing them in half is the most common approach for fondue. If you are using multicoloured potatoes, try to slice them to a similar size so that they cook evenly.

Season with salt, pepper, and herbs

Seasoning is a key step in the cooking process, enhancing the flavour of the dish. When seasoning baby potatoes for fondue, salt and pepper are essential, but herbs can also be added for extra flavour.

Salt is a basic seasoning that enhances the flavour of potatoes. It is best to use sea salt or kosher salt for seasoning baby potatoes. These types of salt have a coarser texture and larger crystal size than regular table salt, which makes them ideal for even distribution and better adhesion to the potatoes. When seasoning, it is important to sprinkle the salt evenly over the potatoes to ensure a consistent flavour.

Pepper is another essential seasoning that adds a subtle kick to the dish. Freshly ground black pepper is recommended for the best flavour. As with salt, it is important to ensure an even distribution when seasoning the potatoes. A generous amount of pepper can be used to taste, but it is easy to add more, so it is better to start with a smaller amount and adjust as needed.

In addition to salt and pepper, herbs can be used to season baby potatoes for fondue. Fresh or dried herbs can be used, depending on availability and preference. Fresh rosemary is a popular choice, as it has a strong, distinctive flavour that pairs well with potatoes. Thyme is another option that works well with baby potatoes, especially when roasted. When using fresh herbs, it is important to finely chop them to ensure they coat the potatoes evenly. If using dried herbs, it is best to crush them between your fingers to release their flavour and aroma before sprinkling them over the potatoes.

When seasoning baby potatoes for fondue, it is important to remember that the amount of salt, pepper, and herbs used can be adjusted to personal preference. Some people prefer a lighter touch, while others enjoy a more robust flavour. It is always possible to add more seasoning, so starting with a smaller amount and gradually increasing it is a good approach.

Drizzle with olive oil

Drizzling olive oil over your baby potatoes is an essential step in the roasting process. It adds flavour and helps to create a crispy texture. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, you will need to select an appropriate oil dispenser, such as a bottle or spoon. Ensure your baby potatoes are washed and dried before placing them on a baking sheet or roasting pan. Drizzle the olive oil liberally over the potatoes, ensuring each potato is well-coated. You can use a brush or your hands to gently toss the potatoes, ensuring an even coating.

The amount of olive oil required will depend on the number of potatoes you are roasting. As a guide, a recipe using 1 1/2 pounds of baby potatoes suggests using two tablespoons of olive oil. You may also want to use an olive oil spray for extra coverage. A generous coating of olive oil will ensure your potatoes roast evenly and develop a delicious crispy texture.

After drizzling, you can add your preferred seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, or Italian seasoning. The olive oil will help these seasonings stick to the potatoes and infuse their flavours as they roast.

Once you have evenly coated your baby potatoes with olive oil and seasonings, they are ready to be placed in the oven. Roasting at a temperature of around 400 degrees Fahrenheit will ensure your potatoes develop a crispy exterior and creamy interior.

In summary, drizzling olive oil over your baby potatoes is a key step to achieving the perfect roast. It adds flavour, texture, and ensures your seasonings stick to the potatoes. Don't skimp on the olive oil for the best results!

Roast in the oven for 20-40 minutes

To make roast baby potatoes for fondue, the oven should be preheated to 350°F or 400°F. After washing the baby potatoes, they should be sliced in half and placed on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. The potatoes should then be roasted in the oven for 20-40 minutes, until tender. The potatoes should be crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. It is important to shake the baking sheet or stir the potatoes every 5 minutes to prevent burning.

Serve with cheese fondue

Baby potatoes are a great option for roasting and dipping in fondue. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roast baby potatoes and serve them with cheese fondue.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients:

• Baby potatoes (white, red, purple, or a mix)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Cheese of your choice (e.g., Gruyère, Emmental, Cheddar, Gouda, etc.)
• Other ingredients for fondue (e.g., garlic, beer, wine, cornstarch)

Step 1: Prepare the Baby Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 350-400°F (depending on your recipe). Wash and dry the baby potatoes, leaving the skins on. Cut the potatoes in half or into bite-sized pieces. Place them on a baking sheet or roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic, rosemary, or Italian seasoning.

Step 2: Roast the Baby Potatoes

Roast the baby potatoes in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until they are tender and golden brown. Ensure that they are spaced out on the baking sheet to prevent steaming. You may need to stir or shake the pan occasionally to prevent burning. The potatoes are ready when they are crispy on the outside and fork-tender on the inside.

Step 3: Make the Cheese Fondue

While the potatoes are roasting, prepare your cheese fondue. Different recipes will vary, but typically, you will need to heat a combination of cheese, wine or beer, and seasonings. For example, one recipe calls for mixing grated cheese and cornflour, rubbing the pan with garlic, adding wine, and then gradually adding the cheese while stirring. You can also add other ingredients like bacon or nutmeg. Keep the fondue warm in a fondue pot or a decorative microwavable bowl.

Step 4: Serve the Roasted Baby Potatoes with Cheese Fondue

Once the baby potatoes are roasted to perfection, serve them with the warm cheese fondue. You can provide skewers or fondue forks for dipping. Enjoy the combination of crispy, roasted potatoes dipped in melted cheese!

Frequently asked questions