Description
Duchess potatoes are an elegant and delicious side dish made from smooth mashed potatoes combined with butter, egg yolk, and cheese, then piped into decorative shapes and baked until golden and crisp. This classic French-inspired recipe transforms simple potatoes into a visually stunning and flavorful treat perfect for festive meals or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Mix-Ins
- 500g floury potatoes, chopped
- 1 large egg, separated
- 30g soft butter
- 30g Grana Padano, finely grated
- Grating of nutmeg
For Baking
- Vegetable oil, for the tray
Instructions
- Cook the potatoes: Place the chopped potatoes into a pan of boiling salted water and cook for 15 minutes until they are very tender when pressed against the side of the pan. Drain thoroughly and leave to steam-dry in the pan for 2 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Mash the potatoes: Mash the cooked potatoes until very smooth. For best results, use a potato ricer or masher, then press the mash through a fine metal sieve to eliminate any lumps, ensuring a velvety texture.
- Prepare the potato mixture: In a large bowl, combine the egg yolk, soft butter, and finely grated Grana Padano cheese. Add the smooth mashed potatoes, a grating of nutmeg, and seasoning to taste. Mix thoroughly with a spatula until the butter has melted and the mixture pulls away from the sides of the bowl, resembling choux pastry consistency.
- Preheat the oven and prepare the tray: Heat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan) or gas mark 7. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment and brush it lightly with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Pipe the potatoes: Fit a piping bag with a wide star nozzle and fill it with the potato mixture. Pipe about 20 walnut-sized peaked mounds onto the prepared baking tray, shaping them like cupcake icing peaks for an attractive finish.
- Brush with egg white: Beat the reserved egg white with a pinch of salt until slightly frothy. Gently brush the potato mounds with this egg white to help maintain their shape and give a glossy, crisp finish after baking.
- Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the duchess potatoes are golden-brown and crisp on the outside.
Notes
- Using a potato ricer and sieving the mash ensures an extra smooth and lump-free texture.
- The egg white brushing helps to keep detailed piping patterns intact and enhances crispiness.
- You can substitute Grana Padano with Parmesan cheese if unavailable.
- Make sure to steam-dry the potatoes well after boiling; excess water can cause the mixture to be too loose for piping.
- Duchess potatoes are best served fresh from the oven for maximum crispness but can be reheated gently in the oven if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: Duchess potatoes, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, potato side dish, French potato recipe, elegant potato recipe, Grana Padano, holiday side dish
