Spiced smashed potatoes
Potato, potahhhhhto……
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.
Lesson of the day: embrace the potato.
These beauties were flavored using a new treat from Trader Joe’s: a spice mixture from this pack of international spices.
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.
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.)
-Sprinkle with sea salt and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
Let me know if you give them a try!
More summer recipe ideas:
Hope you have a wonderful night <3
xoxo
Gina
32 Comments
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These look delicious & those spices look insane! I have to try them!
HOLY MOLY. These look bomb.com. Making them!
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.
What a simple and delicious idea!
Those look delish! I am still kind of scared of potatoes, not sure what to do about it!
Yum, those potatoes look delicious. I agree, embrace the potato 🙂
Yum!! Definitely have to try this!
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.
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.
Oh man these look amazing. I’m a big potato fan.
those look amazing! I’ll have to pick up those spices at TJ’s when I go tomorrow. 🙂
got em! so excited to use them!
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!
I love trying different kinds of spices and those look so flavorful and would make good use in my kitchen!
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 🙂
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!
i recommend skipping phase 1. it’s horrible haha. most of my success was form phase 2 and 3 🙂
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! 🙂
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!
I LOVE spices! I can’t wait to give this a try!
This looks so good. I’ve been craving potatoes lately and have been looking for some easy recipes.
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!
june 16th! 🙂
all i can say is…yum! =)
Those look so good! I am have been embracing the potato lately too ! I just can’t seem to get enough of them!
I absolutely refuse to give up potatoes no matter what anyone says! I love them!
Mmm, love potatoes.. they have tons of potassium!
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 🙁 🙁 🙁
sorry to pipe in but YES! I love those green figs AND they are organic 🙂 it’s like TJs reads my mind for cravings!
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
I love the idea of smashing potatoes! Will have to give that a try! Thanks for sharing!
This looks so simple but so good! I’ll definitely be making these this week.