Francis Mallmann's Potato Dominoes Recipe on Food52 (2024)

5 Ingredients or Fewer

by: Genius Recipes

January29,2013

4.4

8 Ratings

  • Serves 2 to 4

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

This technique makes starchy Russet potatoes act like creamy Yukon Golds, and also makes some of the crispiest edges we've ever tasted. It's a little like Jeffrey Steingarten's famous single-layer potato gratin, pared down to three ingredients. Recipe adapted very slightly from Seven Fires: Grilling the Argentine Way (Workman Publishing, 2009). —Genius Recipes

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • For the clarified butter
  • 4 ouncesunsalted butter (1 stick)
  • For the potato dominoes:
  • 4 Idaho potatoes
  • 4 tablespoonschilled clarified butter
  • Coarse salt
Directions
  1. For the clarified butter:
  2. Slowly melt butter in a small heavy saucepan over medium-low heat; do not stir.
  3. Remove from the heat, and carefully spoon off any foam from the top.
  4. Pour the clear liquid butter through a fine-mesh strainer, leaving behind the solids in the pan.
  5. Once cool, the clarified butter can be refrigerated for weeks.
  6. For the potato dominoes:
  7. Heat a home oven (with the rack positioned in the center of the oven) to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a Silpat or use a nonstick baking sheet.
  8. Cut off the two ends of one potato and reserve them. Trim the 4 sides of the potato to form an even brick. Slice the potato about 1/8 inch thick on a mandoline, keeping the slices in order if you can (just like a line of shingled dominoes).
  9. Hold the stack of potato slices in the palm of one hand and use the other to shape them back into a brick -- as you would a deck of cards. Lay the stack on its side on the baking sheet, and put the reserved potato ends, cut side down, at either end to keep the stack aligned.
  10. Then, with the palm of your hand, angle the slices slightly to resemble a line of dominoes that has tilted over. Adjust the end pieces to keep the stack in shape, and align the slices if necessary. Dot the top and sides with 1 tablespoon of the clarified butter.
  11. Sprinkle with salt to taste. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, keeping the stacks at least 2 inches apart.
  12. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are browned on the edges and tender in the middle when tested with a skewer. Serve immediately.

Tags:

  • Potato
  • 5 Ingredients or Fewer
  • Serves a Crowd
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Christmas
  • Thanksgiving
  • Valentine's Day
  • Vegetarian
  • Appetizer
  • Hors D'Oeuvre
  • Side

See what other Food52ers are saying.

Recipe by: Genius Recipes

Popular on Food52

18 Reviews

BeverlyW October 16, 2021

Second time I’ve made these. These are SO GOOD! I just put slices of cultured butter from Trader Joe’s (didn’t bother clarifying) and was great. Also added fresh ground pepper. Wish I’d made more. The mandolin messed up after a bit so I just kind of messily piled those slices up, those were just as crispy,creamy as the neatly organized ones. Highly recommended recipe!

tbalx April 3, 2021

I just did this with a garnet yam. Stunning presentation as well as flavor. EASY

cosull03 May 11, 2020

I’m only here to echo the raving reviews below. I’m always looking to reimagine the potato... this is it. I’ll be making this recipe almost as often as I make potatoes.

SarahInMinneapolis October 22, 2016

I made this recipe and I was so proud of myself. They turned out just like the picture. The clarified butter is a game-changer. Maldon Sea Salt. The potato ends to hold the stack together? Chef's treats!

mosteff April 12, 2016

Not opposed to butter at all, but did a version with olive oil and result was very, very good.

Jeannine D. February 10, 2016

I also sometimes add air dried shallots to the butter

Jeannine D. February 10, 2016

I wouldn't recommend, we will, lose the crispness. What I do I'd peel the potatoes, cut them into the square block and put them on cold water. It only takes a few minutes to dry and slice on the mandoline, arrange and coat with clarifiyed butter. Of course, make the clarifyed butter in advance and keep warm on the stove. Put them in the oven and I find that at 400F, they only take about fifteen minutes

Carol A. February 10, 2016

Could these be made in advance and kept warm?

Molly J. March 16, 2015

Wow. Just wow. Who knew something so simple would be so good? I followed the recipe as is, and this will now be my go to potato cooking method. My boyfriend says to give them a 10 out of 10.

chez_mere December 23, 2014

Just made these with rendered chicken fat instead of butter; I've never been happier to cook for a friend who was allergic to dairy!!

Jeannine D. March 28, 2014

Love these potatoes. Made them twice since seeing the recipe. So easy, sooooo good

Jenny February 5, 2014

would this work with sweet potatoes?

Kristen M. February 5, 2014

Yes, it should!

Gretchen @. January 7, 2014

I love this recipe (my does husband too)! It comes out perfect every time I have tried it and it is so easy.

giuia.grady June 6, 2013

I loved the crispy edges and the creamy potatoes inside. The recipe is so clean and simple - butter, potatoes and salt. Absolutely delicious, but incredibly time consuming. Definitely worth the effort as part of a special meal. It looks beautiful served.

Jana M. February 3, 2013

Always looking for a new way to decorate a plate with delicious eye candy. This one fits the bill. Can't wait to give it a go.

Kitchen B. January 30, 2013

Saved

Devangi R. January 30, 2013

love this.

Francis Mallmann's Potato Dominoes Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to bake 20 potatoes? ›

You should be able to fit approximately 16 – 20 potatoes in 2 layers in an 18 quart roaster oven. Bake potatoes in the roaster for 1.5 to 2 hours, until soft. Check potatoes with a fork or knife to be sure they are soft all the way through. Or use the squeeze test.

How many restaurants does Francis Mallmann have? ›

Mallmann is Argentina's most famous chef known for his open-fire cooking. He currently runs 9 restaurants worldwide: Patagonia Sur (Argentina), Los Fuegos (Miami), Fuego de Apalta (Chile), 1884 Restaurant (Argentina), Garzón (Uruguay), Bodega Fuegos (Argentina), Orégano (Mendoza), Mallmann at Chateau La Coste (France).

What temperature is best to bake potatoes? ›

At what temperature is a baked potato done? A: We recommend baking potatoes at 400 degrees F for about an hour.

Should I wrap potatoes in foil to bake? ›

NEVER BAKE POTATOES IN FOIL.

Foil wraps will not decrease baking time, but will result in a soggy potato interior with wet skin. Wrapping a baked potato in foil after it has been baked will allow you to hold up to 45 minutes, but the best method for holding a baked potato is in a bread warming drawer.

What does Francis Mallmann cook on? ›

Mallmann famously makes use of seven different types of fire for cooking (techniques he based a book on). Not only is he a master of this chosen medium, but his attention to service and mise en scene is just as keen. Perhaps most exciting of all is that he has opened his treasured Patagonian island.

What restaurant does Michael Symon own? ›

Growing up in a Greek and Sicilian family, the Cleveland native creates boldly flavored, deeply satisfying dishes at his restaurants in America's heartland: Lola, Mabel's BBQ, Roast, Bar Symon and B Spot Burgers.

Where is Francis Mallman's island? ›

Mallmann's private cabin is located on a remote island in the heart of Lago La Plata in Argentina's southern Chubut Province.

How to bake a large amount of potatoes at once? ›

You can get out your baking sheets and place the potatoes on each sheets and fit them on rack or more. We have three racks in our one oven but we have a double oven. Pre pierce a few areas on the potato, salt and pepper for the out side. You can wrap one sheet all together or wrap each potato.

How long does it take to bake 25 large potatoes? ›

What should I expect as far as cooking time? 1 hour for the larger sizes, I would plan on 1 hour 15 minutes max.

How long does it take to bake 25 potatoes? ›

To bake 25 potatoes in the oven, preheat it to 425°F (220°C). Depending on the size of the potatoes, they will need to bake for approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

How many pounds of potatoes do I need to feed 20? ›

Plan on 1/3 to 1/2 pound potatoes per person for your feast.

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