Nate Cooks

Hassleback Potatoes with Smoked Paprika

Have you ever had Spanish smoked paprika? If you haven’t you need to run, not walk, to your supermarket and buy some. It is hands-down my favorite seasoning for potatoes, rice and a whole mess of other things. In fact, Scott likes to joke that it’s my “signature spice.”

Whatever. It’s not like I’ve put it on dessert or anything. Although now that I mention that…

Jokes aside, smoked paprika is amazing. It adds a serious smoky flavor (shocking!) to your dish and with a bit of salt and rosemary is a great spice rub for meat.

I am waxing poetic because I recently added it to some sexy, sexy potatoes I made to go with the Rockstar chicken this weekend. Hassleback potatoes are a pretty easy way to add a certain sexiness to roasted potatoes. However, if you can’t be bothered or don’t have time to deal with the admittedly kind of fussy slicing, feel free to adapt the recipe to just use quartered potatoes. They’ll taste just as good (although you probably will want to cook them for a bit less time).

Here’s what you’ll need to make these hassleback potatoes happen:

4 waxy potatoes (I used Red Bliss) ($1.32)
4-5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced ($0.75 a head)
1 tablespoon butter, melted ($4.89 a lb)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika ($3.99 a jar)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt ($0.99 a can)
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped ($1.49 a bunch)

Total: $13.43 for 4 servings or $3.36 a serving.

OK, so start by cutting the potatoes. The idea is to cut it thinly (about 1/4 inch) *almost* all the way through the potato, but not all the way. Honestly, if you’re decent with a knife, this is easier than it sounds. You can also do something to stop the knife, like put a skewer through the bottom of the potato or sit the potato in a big spoon. Either way, if you end up going through it’s not a big deal, the potato will still taste good.

Once you’re done cutting the potatoes, slip your sliced garlic between the slices. You should end up with something that looks like this:

After you’re done, pop the potatoes in a baking dish and brush with the butter, then sprinkle with the paprika, salt, and rosemary.

Put them in the oven for about an hour at 425 degrees. When they come out they should be crispy on top and still soft on the inside.

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Tags: garlic, paprika, potatoes

$10-19.99 Dishes | Nate | May 5, 2009 3:07 pm

18 Comments

By Judy, May 5, 2009 @ 5:07 pm

These look awsome! can’t wait to try them!

[Reply]
Nate Reply:
May 5th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Awesome, let me know how they turn out!

[Reply]
By Pam101360, May 5, 2009 @ 5:14 pm

Wow, makes me hungry!

Nice photo’s and such an easy recipe.

P

[Reply]
Nate Reply:
May 5th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Thanks! They definitely came together really quickly. If you try them, definitely let me know.

[Reply]
Pam101360 Reply:
May 5th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Yes, I will!

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By Deanna, May 5, 2009 @ 5:33 pm

These Do look great. I will be trying them too. So nice to “meet” you today!

[Reply]
Nate Reply:
May 5th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Thanks! Definitely let me know how they turn out.

[Reply]
By bromography, May 5, 2009 @ 6:57 pm

I just bought smoked paprika at WholeFoods. Can’t wait to try this recipe over the weekend!

[Reply]
Nate Reply:
May 5th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
The paprika is so good, it literally changed my life! Let me know how the potatoes turn out!

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By jon jordan, May 5, 2009 @ 8:05 pm

i make a similar recipe on the grill in the summer …with bacon …what could be bad about that?

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By Carolyn, May 6, 2009 @ 12:49 pm

looks delish - love doing that with potatoes - also love using rosemary which is really easy too!

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By Ru, May 6, 2009 @ 1:05 pm

Oooh! I love potatoes. I’ll have to try this. Hope I can find that smoked paprika you’re raving about. Not an easy spice to find in Beijing.

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By Charles Thompson, May 6, 2009 @ 8:24 pm

hey nate! those look crazy good! nuthin’ like potatoes and garlic together. and i keep hearing about smoked paprika. thanks for the reminder and the recipe.

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By Maria, May 6, 2009 @ 11:15 pm

This looks divine! Yummm!

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By Ann, May 11, 2009 @ 4:38 pm

wow! very creative ideas and looks so awesome!!

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By kitchen doughdough, May 13, 2009 @ 2:14 am

All of your food looks so good! Great pics.

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By christa80, June 5, 2009 @ 8:25 pm

Smoked paprika has changed my life too. I’ve been fixated on sweet potatoes lately, but I think I’m going to have to try this recipe as soon as possible. Thanks, it looks delicious!

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By Shalee, August 23, 2009 @ 6:51 pm

Lovely, and beautiful pics! I have made Hassleback taters for years, but never thought to incorporate garlic as you have ~ brillant! I drizzle mine with a bit of melted butter after slicing, and then spinkle them with bread crumbs mixed with olive oil, Parmesan, paprika, salt, and pepper. I’m trying yours tonight. Thanks for sharing, and am anxious to look around the rest of your blog ~ lucky find!

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