Spiced smashed potatoes

Potato, potahhhhhto……

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I feel like I’ve had a few successes today: 

1) I took a barre class, two days after the half marathon, as part of my training for work. (My first full practice class is Thursday! Wahoo!) I was on the fence if this was a success or failure, as I couldn’t complete about 20% of class because my legs, especially my calves, are wicked sore BUT the stretching. I needed it so badly! I feel much better than I did before class, and it was also a great chance for me to observe and learn from the instructor. We have a set order for class and specific stretches, so I’m really trying to make sure I can remember everything.

2) The Pilot has crossed over into acai bowl obsession. He used to order regular smoothies because he thought the acai base would be too tart/berry-ish for his preferences but finally tried one this weekend. It took a while, but I’m so glad to have another acai bowl date 😉 

3) These potatoes. It’s hard to believe that my dieting days of yore (10 years ago? Dear me.) taught me to stray away from delicious potatoes. I didn’t eat them for a long time because I had so much success with South Beach and they’re on the “limit” list. I finally started eating them on a regular basis again a handful of years ago, and each time I do, I feel like I need to make up for lost potato time. They’re a hearty canvas for any flavor profile, plus they’re full of nutrients.

Potato  1 of 1

Lesson of the day: embrace the potato.

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These beauties were flavored using a new treat from Trader Joe’s: a spice mixture from this pack of international spices.

Spice blend  1 of 1

I was smelling my way through the batch and immediately stopped when I got to this one. It’s a Libyan spice, which is a combination of chili powder, garlic, cayenne pepper, caraway and cumin. It’s spicy and glorious; I have a feel I’ll be sprinkling it on everything.

Spice blend  1 of 1 2

Here’s how you make the smashed potatoes, which would be an awesome side dish for a summer dinner or BBQ. You could also serve them with eggs and fresh fruit for breakfast.

(Makes 8 servings)

-Wash eight medium potatoes and poke with a fork.

-Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven on a cookie sheet for one hour, flipping once.

-Use a can or glass to smash each potato flat.

-Drizzle with the following mixture:

2 tablespoons melted butter

2 minced garlic cloves

1 teaspoon spice blend (you can use the pre-made ones from Trader Joe’s, or experiment with your own combo! I especially love paprika, oregano, chili powder and cumin together.)

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-Sprinkle with sea salt and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Let me know if you give them a try!

More summer recipe ideas:

Avocado chicken salad

Grilled pizza

Sangria

-Mango sorbet

Pineapple mint popsicles

 Hope you have a wonderful night <3

xoxo

Gina

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32 Comments

  1. Erin on June 3, 2014 at 7:56 pm

    These look delicious & those spices look insane! I have to try them!

  2. Haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine on June 3, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    HOLY MOLY. These look bomb.com. Making them!

  3. Abi@AbsofSteel on June 3, 2014 at 9:19 pm

    I recently got those spices from trader joe’s too, they’re great! I’ll have to try the potato recipe with them, it looks amazing.

  4. Jackie on June 3, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    What a simple and delicious idea!

  5. Michelle on June 3, 2014 at 9:36 pm

    Those look delish! I am still kind of scared of potatoes, not sure what to do about it!

  6. Chicago Jogger on June 3, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    Yum, those potatoes look delicious. I agree, embrace the potato 🙂

  7. Livi on June 3, 2014 at 9:51 pm

    Yum!! Definitely have to try this!

  8. Megan @ The Skinny-Life on June 3, 2014 at 10:06 pm

    Love the TJ spices! I bought the dukkah and made a quinoa dukkah chickpea burger. It was amazing! Actually posted the recipe yesterday on my blog.

  9. Nicholle on June 3, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    I make these, too. I like to mash up a bunch of minced garlic with goat cheese and put that on the potatoes along with kosher salt and some pepper.

  10. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on June 3, 2014 at 11:22 pm

    Oh man these look amazing. I’m a big potato fan.

  11. shaina on June 4, 2014 at 12:23 am

    those look amazing! I’ll have to pick up those spices at TJ’s when I go tomorrow. 🙂

    • shaina on June 4, 2014 at 4:43 pm

      got em! so excited to use them!

  12. Laura B @ FitMamaLove on June 4, 2014 at 12:41 am

    I love that you love potatoes! So many people stay away from them or consider them a “bad” food, but they are so good and have a lot of nutrients. I love a perfect baked potato and it doesn’t even have to be “loaded.” These sound really good!

  13. Polly @ Tasty Food Project on June 4, 2014 at 12:49 am

    I love trying different kinds of spices and those look so flavorful and would make good use in my kitchen!

  14. JG on June 4, 2014 at 12:59 am

    Omg I must find this spice pack!! North Africa is a former home (holy crap, also 10-ish years ago!) and I miss those favors!! I will be making these potatoes 🙂

  15. Jay on June 4, 2014 at 1:33 am

    Trying those, yum!

    Gina, you mentioned success with South Beach. I’ve been considering following that, it sounds relatively sane, since I think I need a little more structure. I was thinking of beginning with phase 2 because I have 15 lbs. to lose. Did you see a benefit to phase 1 if you did it? Thanks!

    • Fitnessista on June 4, 2014 at 11:33 am

      i recommend skipping phase 1. it’s horrible haha. most of my success was form phase 2 and 3 🙂

      • Jay on June 4, 2014 at 12:07 pm

        Awesome, just needed reassurance to skip the first part of a plan that’s supposed to be a “regimen” for me to follow! Oh the irony. Thanks, and sorry for such a personal question, it was late! 🙂

  16. Runner Girl Eats on June 4, 2014 at 6:33 am

    I am a big potato fan. Smashed, fried, roasted, baked, etc. I started taking barre classes immediately after my half marathon and it really helped with the recovery but it was super tough during those calf raises!

  17. Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} on June 4, 2014 at 9:33 am

    I LOVE spices! I can’t wait to give this a try!

  18. Lesley on June 4, 2014 at 10:29 am

    This looks so good. I’ve been craving potatoes lately and have been looking for some easy recipes.

  19. Lindsay on June 4, 2014 at 11:00 am

    Those look so delicious! But I think the real question on everyones’ mind is, when is Summer Shape Up starting?! I’m itching for a revamp of my routine. I’m veerrryyy excited!

    • Fitnessista on June 4, 2014 at 11:33 am

      june 16th! 🙂

  20. april on June 4, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    all i can say is…yum! =)

  21. Hilary on June 4, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    Those look so good! I am have been embracing the potato lately too ! I just can’t seem to get enough of them!

  22. Cassie on June 4, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    I absolutely refuse to give up potatoes no matter what anyone says! I love them!

  23. joelle @ on a pink typewriter on June 4, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    Mmm, love potatoes.. they have tons of potassium!

  24. Tracy on June 4, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    Oh my that pilpelchuma does sound glorious! Esp the addition of caraway…very unexpected. I need to remember to pick that up on my next trip there!

    Did you ever try the frozen figs from TJs?? So good in smoothies! I’m afraid they were a very short term item though…I haven’t seen them again for a couple weeks now 🙁 🙁 🙁

    • the delicate place (@misathemeb) on June 4, 2014 at 1:43 pm

      sorry to pipe in but YES! I love those green figs AND they are organic 🙂 it’s like TJs reads my mind for cravings!

  25. the delicate place (@misathemeb) on June 4, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    haha omg. LITERALLY just posted about those spices a couple days ago: http://instagram.com/p/os722FEAmX/ TJs is killing it! i am obsessed with the sumac…i’m putting it on everything esp hummus. it’s rich in vitamin C and other skin glow-y essentials 🙂

    also, re: potatoes…i just thought everyone was crazy. there was NO way i was giving up my favorite salad: niçoise…i mean it wouldn’t be the same without those yukon gold potatoes! #allthecarbs

  26. Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork on June 4, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    I love the idea of smashing potatoes! Will have to give that a try! Thanks for sharing!

  27. Danielle on June 5, 2014 at 11:01 am

    This looks so simple but so good! I’ll definitely be making these this week.

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