Small new potatoes, with their thin skins and delicate flavor, are a delightful addition to any meal. Boiled or steamed to perfection and smothered in a rich and seasoned white sauce, they make for an irresistibly tasty side dish. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to prepare this delectable treat. Whether served as part of a Sunday roast or a weeknight dinner, these creamy new potatoes will have your taste buds dancing with delight.
INGREDIENTS:
- Small new potatoes
- White sauce (highly seasoned)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Butter (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Prepare the New Potatoes: Begin by selecting small new potatoes, which are typically tender with thin skins. Scrub them thoroughly with a stiff brush to remove any dirt or debris. The thin skins are a key part of the dish, so avoid peeling.
- Boil or Steam the Potatoes: There are two primary methods for cooking new potatoes: boiling and steaming. Both methods yield excellent results, so choose the one that suits you best.
- Boiling: Place the scrubbed new potatoes in a pot of cold, salted water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the potatoes for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Steaming: Alternatively, you can steam the new potatoes. Arrange them in a steamer basket over simmering water. Steam for roughly the same amount of time until they are tender.
- Prepare the White Sauce: While the new potatoes are cooking, prepare a highly seasoned white sauce. You can make your white sauce from scratch using butter, flour, milk, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, you can save time by using a pre-made white sauce mix and seasoning it to your liking.
- Season the White Sauce: To ensure a burst of flavor, season the white sauce generously with salt and pepper. You can also add a pat of butter for an extra touch of richness.
- Cover the Potatoes with White Sauce: Once the new potatoes are tender and fully cooked, remove them from the heat. Place them in a serving dish or on individual plates. Pour the highly seasoned white sauce over the potatoes.
- Garnish (Optional): If desired, garnish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, such as chopped parsley or chives, for a burst of color and freshness.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the creamy new potatoes immediately while they are hot, allowing the rich and seasoned white sauce to envelop each potato. The combination of the creamy sauce and tender new potatoes is simply irresistible.
TIPS FOR PERFECT NEW POTATOES IN SEASONED WHITE SAUCE:
- Potato Variety: Choose small new potatoes for this recipe, as they have thin skins and a wonderfully delicate flavor.
- Seasoning: Don’t be shy with the seasoning in your white sauce. A generous amount of salt and pepper will enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
- Butter: Adding a small amount of butter to the white sauce provides an extra layer of richness and flavor.
- Garnish: Fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or even dill can elevate the presentation and taste of the dish.
- Serving Suggestions: Creamy new potatoes in seasoned white sauce make a fantastic side dish for roasted or grilled meats, poultry, or fish. They also pair beautifully with fresh, steamed vegetables.
These creamy new potatoes in seasoned white sauce are a simple yet elegant addition to your culinary repertoire. The thin-skinned new potatoes perfectly complement the rich and flavorful white sauce. Whether served for a special occasion or a casual family dinner, this dish is sure to please palates of all ages. Enjoy the irresistible combination of tender new potatoes and luscious white sauce, and savor the comfort of a classic side dish done to perfection.
