Ease Out of Summer with Potatoes — Summer Fest
Tara Donne, Tara Donne
This week, FN Dish is trading in the grill-kissed ears of corn and pitchers of iced tea for the comforting dishes of early fall. And, hey, who's complaining? To ring in the crisp air, pumpkin lattes and all that screams fall, we're turning to the potato to reintroduce our favorite seasonal recipes.
As an ingredient, the potato straddles the line between french fry and mashed potatoes, so it's the perfect ingredient to usher us into these first days of fall. Each of these potato dishes will remind you of all that we've been missing. Many are rich — and all are comforting.
When pureed, potatoes make for a mean soup. Smooth and filling, Ina's Roasted Potato Leek Soup is nice and elegant, and it works as the idyllic dinner party starter. Food Network Magazine's Curried Sweet Potato Apple Soup is perfect for a special family meal, especially during those first few weeks of the school year. As for Alton's Leftover Baked Potato Soup, leftover baked potatoes are reborn in a soup that's silky, luxurious and super rich.
Food Network Magazine's got a slew of fried potato recipes, each reminiscent of the iconic large fry — but with a fall-leaning twist. Crispy Garlic-Sage Fries are herby and addictive, and Spicy Sweet Potato Fries are wedges of subtly sweet, spiced goodness.
Dust off those casserole dishes, folks. Tonight, Tyler Florence's Scalloped Potato Gratin is crisp on top and creamy in the middle. For those who prefer a spin on scalloped, Bobby's Smoked Chile Scalloped Sweet Potatoes are a three-ingredient dream. Rachael's Autumn Potato Gratin (pictured above) proves a lovely induction into fall, with its colorful usage of red-skinned, purple and fingerling potatoes. Lastly, Rachael's creamy Sweet Onion Potatoes au Gratin will become a family favorite in no time.
For families looking to experiment, Food Network Magazine's Curried Potatoes and Chickpeas are exciting and flavorful, with the same comforting vibe as a dollop of butter-and-cream mashed potatoes.
Let's end with something sweet. Tyler Florence's Whipped Sweet Potatoes and Bananas with Honey may not end the meal per se, but the integration of bananas, honey, dark brown sugar and pecans makes it a honeyed side for sure.
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