smashing good taties!

If you are looking for something quick, easy and tasty using potatoes, then here it is!

I have made these a few times, but each time I change some of the ingredients. The following is fairly basic, but you can add or change the topping to suit you and your family.

boil the required number of small potatoes till 'just tender'.

You can use any potato, but better to use the smaller ones like the Chat Potatoes.  Boil until 'just tender'.

place a small amount of olive oil on a baking tray

Take a large baking tray and to make it easier on yourself, cover with foil. Then cover with about a tablespoon of olive oil.  (in the USA that is a serving spoon full)

can create your own mix here, this is garlic and olive oil

While waiting for the potatoes to cool down, I make up the mix that is to go on top of them.  Here is a mix of olive oil and garlic.  Fresh garlic is obviously better, but had the paste on hand so used that this time. I also add a bit of salt & pepper to the mix.

if you want to add onions, chop 1/2 an onion finely

I don't always use onions, but this time I did. But you don't need much, maybe just half an onion to about 10 small potatoes.  I think next time I would gently fry them in a little olive oil prior to putting them on the top of the potato.

once the potatoes have reached their 'just tender' stage,
then place on oiled tray.

Take the potatoes out of the pot and place them on the oiled baking tray. Make sure there is not too much oil on the tray, it is not needed.

using a potato masher, press down lightly on each potato, enough to 'break them'

If you don't have a potato masher to press down on them, then use a large fork. Press gently, just enough to 'break' the potato.

at this point add the olive oil & garlic mix to each one, add the finely chopped onion.

Now add a little of the olive oil and garlic mix, then the onion and lastly some grated or shaved Parmesan cheese.

then add Parmesan cheese, I usually shave the Parmesan, but only had the packet this time!

You can also add herbs or perhaps some pre cooked and finely chopped bacon pieces or try these other variations ....

can be cooked a little longer than what I have here.

Leave off the onion and add some thyme, cook a little longer (45 mins)

leave off the onion and garlic, just add cheese and rosemary

Put the baking tray (with the potatoes) in a pre heated oven of approx 160c - 180c deg for about 30 - 45 mins.  These are very tasty and can be served as a side dish with salads, at a BBQ, or with the Sunday Roast ... in fact these tasty little smashers can be served at anytime with anything!



Hope you enjoy them!





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