I wanted to call these Bircher Potatoes, I really did. It’s something my mother always used to make, in this exact fashion, but upon doing a bit of research it would appear that “Bircher Potatoes” are actually something slightly different. Supposedly, they’re scrubbed, not peeled, then simply cut in half and baked, cut side down in a greased pan, resulting in a kind of roast/bake hybrid potato. Caraway seeds are still used, absolutely, and that version certainly sounds good – something to try next time methinks.
In the meantime – this version is still good, and if you like caraway seeds and roast potatoes then you’ll love these. The caraway seeds release an intoxicating aroma as they roast in the hot oil, which in turn infuses into the potatoes. The result is a bowl of crispy, golden nuggets which go with just about anything. If you’re a fan of caraway seeds then you should also check out my seed cake which also has the wonderful aroma of caraway running through it, even if the name makes it sound like something you’d stuff into a bird-feeder.
On this particular occasion I actually served them with my previous two posts’ dishes: whole roasted trout, and raw courgette and carrot salad with miso dressing. I wasn’t actually originally planning on posting these recipes, but everything turned out so well. Isn’t it nice when one meal can yield three different posts like that? It’s especially good since I sometimes feel like I’m falling into a baking trap. I seem to post a whole load of cakes, cookies, and breads. That’s not bad, sure, but I’d rather include everything, instead of just focusing on one or two kind of things, so it was nice to have three savoury recipes ready to write about.
I’m still adjusting to my new life. We’re into the last month in France now and even though it’s been almost a fortnight since I left work it’s still going to be a while before I really get used to the thought of not having that place to go to every day. Not going in to sit down at my desk. Not grabbing a coffee with my coworkers… I’ll miss it all, that’s for sure!
Enjoy the potatoes folks, I’ll be back soon!
"Bircheresque" Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 or 3 large Potatoes
- 1 tbsp Caraway Seeds
- 2 tbsps Peanut Oil or Goose Fat
- 1 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Start off by preheating your oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Pour the oil or goose fat into a roasting tray and place into the oven to heat up.
- Peel the potatoes. Cut into large chunks and place into a large pan of water. Bring the pan to the boil, and then allow to boil for 5 minutes before removing and draining.
- Once the oil has been heating in the oven for about 20 minutes, give the potatoes a good shake in the pan to fluff up the edges and then carefully transfer to the roasting tray. Turn the potatoes to coat them in the hot oil and then sprinkle on the caraway seeds and salt.
- Return the tray to the oven and roast for about 60 minutes, turning the potatoes every 20 minutes or so to ensure even coverage in the oil and cooking. After this time, the potatoes should be a good golden brown colour. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
Oh Charles, I am sorry that you miss your job and co-workers. Three years ago I did the same to follow my husband and it took me a good two years to adjust. I am sure you’ll make new friends to have some coffee with in Sweden! π
Potatoes. Love potatoes in any shape and form. And I do love caraway seeds so much that I add it to almost everything, even to my tea! π Thanks for helping me with a side dish for my dinner (it’s roasted chicken and I was thinking of potatoes, but wasn’t sure how to make it)! π Good luck with your move!
Charles says
Thanks Marina – it’s going to be a big change, but yeah – I’m sure eventually I’ll make new friends in Sweden. It’s just a hard thing to give up everything you’ve known for the past 8 years! Hope you can try these potatoes… let me know how they turn out π
A_Boleyn says
I don’t care WHAT you call them. They look amazing. π But then, are there any BAD roast potato recipes?
Charles says
Well… the ones they used to serve at my old school were never much cop π
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says
Change is really tough, isn’t it, and so are goodbyes (or, until laters…) I trust that many good things await you and your family in Sweden. These potatoes look so good – that close up shot – wow! cooked to perfection. You know how you should never go food shopping on an empty stomach? Well, you should never go blog hopping on an empty stomach either — I just came from Eva’s and now I want biscotti AND potatoes!! Caraway is a very cool choice here Charles. I’ve only had it in bread but not potato. I’m intrigued by the idea!
Charles says
Thanks Kelly – I hate goodbyes… and in many cases it really will be. Sure, people say they’ll visit, but I guess only about 5% of the people who say that *actually* will (at least in my case).
Eva made biscotti you say? I’ll have to hop over and check it out in a sec! π
Hotly Spiced says
I love the look of these potatoes. I don’t think I’ve ever had roast potatoes with caraway seeds. I can imagine they would give off a wonderful aroma. I can also imagine that you must be in a state of disbelief as you wake up and realise you no longer have that typical routine of heading to the office. Such a different time for you all but a very exciting time xx
Charles says
Hi Charlie, I’ve been forgetting what day it is already! When you’re not going to work, “weekends” don’t really mean anything anymore, lol. Sunday just happens to be that “very inconvenient day when nothing is open” :p
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
Crispy. Golden. Yum! Charles, something so simple is often not very good because people do it just any old way. Your precision produces a dish of potatoes that could be the star of the meal!
Charles says
Thanks Jean – they sure smell fantastic! I hope you get a chance to try them π
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Your potatoes look wonderfully crisp and golden, I will have to try them!
Charles says
Thanks Laura – you should! The caraway gives a great aroma.
Minnie@thelady8home says
caraway and potatoes – delicious! Looks perfectly done too. Moving is so so difficult. I am now almost end of second year in my move to East coast from West, and still trying to settle in….
Charles says
Hi Minnie – it’s a great combo, I hope you’ll be able to try it!
Bam's Kitchen says
Been there, done that! I know how you feel. I wore an emergency pager for 25 years and then one day it was gone. It takes time to find your new place but I promise something is waiting for you in Sweden. I can’t wait to read more French Sweden fusion foods. I will start out with these easy and delicious potatoes for tonight. Take Care, BAM
Charles says
Thanks for your kind words Bam – I’m sure I’ll find something to entertain myself with, haha π
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Potatoes…I love them any way they are prepared. These look especially good. I know it will take a while to adjust to all the upcoming changes in your life…my best wishes to your whole family.
Charles says
Thank you Karen – time it will take indeed… I’m feeling like I just want the move to be over now… so many things to do in these last days!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Adjusting to something new gets hard as we get older (more responsibility and we tend to think too much), but some things happen for a good reason and believe in that. Soon you will have a brand new life! It’s exciting and I wish to have that excitement sometimes. π LOVE potato dish, and I think you are the one who introduced me how to use caraway seeds before and I always have this in my pantry but never knew how to use. Potato and caraway seeds sound really good! Love that smell!
Charles says
Thanks Nami! I’m a little jealous of my son and my cat! They don’t need to do anything, pack anything, carry anything… everything will be taken care of for them!
mjskit says
Caraway and potato – what an interesting combination. I’ve never had that before and have certainly hot had Bircher Potatoes nor bircheresque potatoes. π What a dish looking dish!!! I do love caraway so this recipe has really piqued my interest. Thanks!
Charles says
Hi MJ – the caraway gives a wonderful flavour and aroma – I really recommend it!
Sissi says
The potatoes look excellent, Charles. I like caraway a lot. As a selfish follower of your blog I’m glad you will have more time to take photos and show as more of what you cook π Just joking, but I imagine a sudden change of daily habits is not easy.
Charles says
Thanks Sissi – I’m finding I have almost no time at all for blogging right now… it’s taken me so long to reply to these comments, and I don’t even have a post written for tomorrow, which is when I would normally publish, let alone missing out on other peoples’ blogs right now… I must try and catch up soon in amongst everything else going on!
Sissi says
Charles, don’t worry. After my trip to Japan I had to go to a family wedding (help with preparations several days before so the trip lasted almost a week) and I feel I’m completely lost between blogging, cooking, social life…. I don’t mention taking photos…
The Wife says
Well, I can think of someone… about waist high, blond curls, blue eyes… who really appreciates having you home and who is sure to keep you busy during the days! π
Charles says
Indeed – I’m sure he especially enjoys smacking me in the mouth with his books first thing in the morning too :p
Raymund says
This must smell so fantastic
Charles says
Oh, it does!
Stacy says
Hmmm. Caraway on roast potatoes. I’ve got some duck fat in the refrigerator and I can just imagine the smell you speak of as those potatoes and caraway roast. Must give this a try.
New to your blog so I must go back and read more about your move. We’ve been moving around now for 26 years (three in Paris) and, while goodbyes are hard, the adventure has always been worth it. The really good friends will visit and those are the ones that count!
Charles says
Hi Stacy, thank you for your kind words! I hate moving, I must say, although the road trip I’m taking, driving up to Sweden, will be fantastic. I really do hope people will come to visit me. I think a couple definitely will at least, but others I’m not sure about… can always hope! Like you say though – they’re the ones that count, if they’re prepared to make the effort to keep in touch!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise says
I love Caraway seeds and still have your seed cake on my must try list. I have never tried caraway with potatoes. I look forward to the experience
Charles says
Hi Sawsan – oh, you should try the seed cake first I think, but I can always recommend these as well!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Thinking of you and how your life is changing. You’ll miss things from the past and you’ll be thrilled at all the new things in your life. Very exciting time for all of you.
Love your potatoes!
Charles says
Thanks Maureen – I have almost no time for blogging right now, I feel so bad… I’m not going to work anymore and yet I suddenly have less time than ever, lol!
Kristy says
I’ve been thinking about you tons. I hope all is going well. You’re on the heels of such big change. I know it will be great, but like any change (good or not) it’s always an adjustment. I can’t wait to hear about it all. These potatoes sound fabulous!!! And unlike the turmeric I do have caraway seeds and never know what to do with them. Now that we’re in savory, warm dish season this will be on our menu very, very soon. π I hope all is well Charles.
Charles says
Thanks Kristy… so much to do right now, and I’ll be “losing” my furniture in a few days… no more couch to lie on, *sniff* π
Anneli Faiers says
You are moving to Sweden?! I missed that crucial piece of info! How exciting! Of course I am biased but I know that you will love it. After all, who could fail to make friends with all the super friendly Swedes out there π
As for the potatoes, they look great. I don’t cook much with caraway…but perhaps I should.
Good luck x
Charles says
“super friendly Swedes”… ha! I’m sure I’ll make friends in time, but super friendly isn’t the first adjective that usually comes to mind when I think of the average Swede. They sure like their own personal space!
Jano Duniya says
Potatoes look better and delicious, just want to try this one at home.