Green Garlic Potato Cakes with Chive Crème Fraîche
These potato cakes are delicious served with homemade creme fraiche.
Prep Time: 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 30 minutesminutes
Total: 40 minutesminutes
Servings: 6main course servings.
Ingredients
Green Garlic Potato Cakes
1 3/4poundsyellow potatoes (see headnote), scrubbed, skin on, cut into 1" chunks
salt
2tablespoonsolive oil
1 1/2cupssliced green garlic, including the green bits (from 4 - 5 stalks)
juice of 1/2 a lemon, zest reserved for thecrème fraîche
2large eggs
2tablespoonscrème fraîche, plus a scant cup for serving (store-bought or homemade - see recipe below)
1bunch of chives, finely chopped, 1/4 cup reserved for thecrème fraîche topping
2/3cuplightly packed crumbled fresh goat cheese
1/3cuplightly packed grated parmesan
light cooking oil, for the pan (such as sunflower or grapeseed)
Homemade Crème Fraîche
1cupfresh heavy cream (preferably not ultra-pasteurized)
1 1/2tablespoonsbuttermilk or crème fraîche
Instructions
Green Garlic Potato Cakes
Place the tater chunks in a large pot, cover with cool water and add 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are tender, but not falling apart, about 10 - 15 minutes of simmering. Drain the potatoes (you can save the water to use as soup stock, if you like). Put the cooked potatoes in a large bowl, let cool a bit, and mash coarsely (a potato masher works great for this, natch!).
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the green garlic and a few pinches of salt and saute, stirring occasionally, until tender, 10 minutes or so, reducing the heat to low if it starts to brown. Add the lemon juice and scrape the green garlic on top of the potatoes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, 2 tablespoons of thecrème fraîche and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pour this mixture over the green garlic and potatoes, and add the chives (holding back 1/4 cup for thecrème fraîche) and the cheeses. Mash everything together until well combined.
Form the potato goop into cakes 3 - 4" in diameter and 1/2" tall (a spring-loaded ice cream scoop helps with even portions). Heat a large skillet or griddle over a medium flame, and add enough sunflower oil to coat the bottom,1 - 2 tablespoons. Place the cakes an inch or so apart in the pan and cook over medium-low heat until golden and crispy, 4 - 5 minutes on each side.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl or jar, combine the remaining scant cup ofcrème fraîche with the zest of half a lemon and 1/4 cup chopped chives. Season to taste with a few pinches of salt and a turn of pepper.
Serve the warm cakes dolloped with the chive crème fraîche.
Homemade Crème Fraîche
n a glass jar, stir together the cream and buttermilk until well combined. Place in a warmish spot, such as on top of the refrigerator, and leave for about 12 hours until thickened. During this time, stir or shake the cream once or twice to prevent a layer of fat from solidifying on top (which would result in lumpy crème fraîche). Store the crème fraîche in the fridge for 1 - 2 weeks.
Notes
Adapted from Everyday Greens.These cakes would work well with other alliums in place of the green garlic; scallions, leeks, shallots or spring onions would all make excellent substitutes, depending on what's in season. Similarly, feel free to feature any soft, green herb that you like (not that green herb) for the chives, such as basil, marjoram, parsley, chervil or tarragon, or swap out the chèvre for any favorite cheese, such as gruyère or aged cheddar.Use smallish, yellow-fleshed potatoes for the best taste and texture, such as Yukon Golds, Yellow Finns, or German Butterballs.The potato goop and crème fraîche keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days; you are then mere minutes away from frying up a tasty breakfast, lunch or dinner.Nutritional values are based on one of six servings.