Cuisine: Potatoes
Nikujaga (Japanese-Style Meat and Potatoes)
I made this Nikujaga (Japanese-Style Meat and Potatoes), and my Japanese stepmother said it’s the epitome of Japanese comfort food.
Nikujaga literally translates to "meat" (niku) and "potatoes" (jagaimo), this dish is the quintessential "mother's cooking" (ofukuro no aji) in Japan. It’s a savory, slightly sweet, and deeply soul-warming stew that relies on a few ingredients and a simple simmering technique.
Legend has it that Nikujaga was born in the late 19th century thanks to Togo Heihachiro, a Japanese naval commander. Having studied in England, he supposedly fell in love with British beef stew.
Upon his return, he ordered his naval chefs to recreate it. Lacking demi-glace and red wine, the chefs used what they had: soy sauce, sugar, and sake. The result wasn't a British stew, but it was so delicious that it became a staple of the Japanese Navy to combat vitamin deficiencies.
By - Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Leftover Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie
My daughter, Grace, has mastered the art of the culinary "second act." She brilliantly transforms leftover roast beef and mashed potatoes into a Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie - and while the purists might call it a Cottage Pie because of the beef, in our house, it’s simply a family classic. Her addition of sharp cheddar cheese to the mashed potatoes creates a tangy, golden crust that ties the whole dish together.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Kielbasa Cabbage Stew
This Kielbasa Cabbage Stew is simple, savory, and satisfying. It’s the perfect easy-to-make meal to take the chill off a cold day. Since it comes together in just one pot, you’ll spend less time cleaning up and more time enjoying a bowl of pure comfort. Serve it with a thick slice of crusty bread.
Cheesy French Onion Baked Potatoes
For me, almost every satisfying, savory creation that leaves my kitchen is founded on a great onion. If I’m ever unsure of what to prepare for dinner, I always reach for an onion first.
The good news is that turning an onion into a wonderfully comforting and delicious dinner is straightforward. All it takes is a little butter, a fluffy baked potato, and some time (both the clock time and the herby kind—thyme!).
This recipe perfectly illustrates that point. The French Onion Baked Potato takes the most beloved elements of the classic French onion soup—namely, the sweet caramelized onions and the rich, melted Gruyère cheese—and places them right onto a warm, tender baked potato.
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 2 hrs 15 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Vesuvio Potatoes
Vesuvio Potatoes are a classic of Italian-American recipe, particularly associated with Chicago, Illinois, where it is believed to have originated in the 1930s. It's named after Mount Vesuvius, the volcano near Naples, Italy. They are garlicky, lemony wine-infused potato wedges. The original dish is Chicken Vesuvio. I went to Mount Vesuvius when I was 16 with my friend Alina. I have a pathological fear of heights. Hence, going to the top of Mount Vesuvius on the back of a mule was a bad idea..... Ditto Saint Paul's cathedral dome in London.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Yields: 4 - 6 Servings
Chicken, Leek and Stuffing Hot Pot
This Chicken, Leek and Stuffing Hot Pot is from Marks & Spencer. Chicken thighs, salty pancetta, leeks, onions, mushrooms with herby stuffing balls topped with sliced potatoes. It's a variation of a classic British hotpot or a deconstructed chicken pot pie, offering a hearty and comforting meal with a clever twist. While traditional hot pots often feature a sliced potato topping, this version incorporates delicious stuffing balls. It's so incredibly comforting.
- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 30 mins
- Yields: 4 - 6 Servings
Swamp Potatoes and Sausage
These Swamp Potatoes and Sausage are hearty, full of flavor and comforting. Its nickname probably comes both from its extra-deep South origins, and its resemblance to the bayou’s margin at low tide. Many Southerners also know this dish as old-fashioned smothered green beans. Serve alongside crusty bread for soaking in the delicious juices. While it may not win any beauty contests, its taste more than makes up for it!
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 6 hrs 5 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Salt & Vinegar Potato Salad
My family can't get enough of anything salt and vinegar. These bold flavors really took off with salt and vinegar potato chips, which were a huge hit in the United Kingdom long before they made their way to our shores. Now, inspired by those very chips, Salt and Vinegar Potato Salad offers a vibrant, flavorful twist on the classic side dish. Finishing the potato salad with crushed Salt & Vinegar potato chips is a stroke of genius! It delivers a double punch of that iconic tangy flavor and an irresistible crunch.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Yields: 8 Servings
Crispy Smashed Potato Salad
Forget everything you thought you knew about potato salad. This Crispy Smashed Potato Salad is here to revolutionize your summer cookouts and potlucks. It's an incredible combination of textures and flavors, combining the irresistible crunch of roasted smashed potatoes with a vibrant, pickley salad and a cool, creamy ranch dressing. Imagine tender-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside smashed potatoes, caramelized and golden, providing an incredible textural contrast to every bite.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Burger Bowls with House Sauce and Ranch Fries
My husband usually orders a burger and takes off the top of the bun. He loves this Hamburger Chopped Salad that they serve at Little Pub in Greenwich, CT. So when I saw this recipe for Burger Bowls with House Sauce and Ranch Fries, I knew I had to make it. It’s the ultimate burger bowl with crispy, ranch-seasoned waffle fries piled high with a juicy burger chunks and all your favorite fixings, finished with a signature house sauce drizzle. Oh, I also have made Pittsburgh Salad, with involves sliced steak, hard boiled eggs and fries.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
