Easy Tattooed Potatoes

Looking for an easy way to dress up this humble tuber? Perfectly crispy herb-tattooed potatoes should be your new go-to. I can’t take credit for inventing this. I learned this kitchen trick from the first chef I hired at the restaurant, Leyton, who has since gone on to make badass knives under the name of Lost Bison Forge.

At the restaurant, we served these beautiful crispy roasted potatoes during a Winemaker Dinner with oven-roasted tomato and lamb chops and they were the star of the show. I’ve used these when catering dinner parties for 10-20 people. And it’s my 6-year-olds favorite way to eat potatoes. They look so pretty on the table dressed up with herb leaves and edible flower petals!

How To Make Tattooed Potatoes

1. Select small Yukon Gold, fingerling or red potatoes. Yukon Golds are my personal favorite variety for this.
2. Select your herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, chives, chive blossoms or other edible flowers, parsley leaves, dill or fennel frond)
3. Preheat oven to 350 F.
4. Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise and lay an herb leaf, sprig, or flower on the cut surface of each half. Sprinkle with salt.
5. In an ovenproof pan (I use my cast iron brazier), heat a couple of tablespoons of Olive Oil over medium heat. The oil should be about 1/16″ deep.
6. When the oil is hot (but not sizzling), gently place the potato cut side down. While putting pressure on the potato, gently give them a little wiggle or spin. This will help with sticking. You don’t want to lose your herbs though.
7. Now do not touch, move, shake, or check on the potatoes for the rest of the cooking time.
8. Cook on the burner until the oil starts bubbling around the potatoes.
9. Dip a basting brush in the oil and brush the skin side of the potatoes. Sprinkle with more salt and fresh ground pepper.
10. Then transfer the ovenproof skillet to the oven and continue cooking for about 35-45 minutes or until a fork easily pokes through the potato.
11. Remove the pan from the oven. Tip the pan up on one side to drain. I do this by putting a folded towel under one side.
12. Carefully flip the potatoes over. Sprinkle with Maldon Salt or your favorite finishing salt. Yes…. I salted them three times.

Ok, now go impress your friends and family with this easy kitchen hack. Let me know how tattooed potatoes turn out by posting on Instagram to #homecooksguide or leaving a comment below.