French potato pancakes: The crispy side dish steal

Pomme de Terre Darphin is French potato pancakes. They are crispy on the outside and have a soft, creamy center. Made from thicker pieces of potato, they taste perfect with mozzarella or Parmesan cheese, providing a distinctive flavor. These pancakes often resemble the Spanish tortilla in appearance, and their preparation, although it requires precision, rewards with an unparalleled taste.

The most popular ways to serve this delicacy include serving them right after taking them off the pan or after a brief stint in the oven. This gives the pancakes extra crispiness and prevents them from falling apart during frying.

Ingredients:

• About 1.3 pounds of potatoes,
• About 1 ounce of dried mushrooms, preferably porcini,
• 1 tablespoon butter,
• Oil for frying,
• Half a teaspoon of nutmeg,
• A pinch of salt and pepper.

Instructions:

1. Soak the dried mushrooms in warm water for 2 hours. The soaking water can be used to make the sauce.
2. Grate the potatoes using a medium-sized grater and squeeze out any excess water. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
3. Sauté the soaked mushrooms in a skillet with hot oil for about 4 minutes, then set them aside to cool. Add the cooled mushrooms to the grated potatoes and mix everything thoroughly.
4. Heat oil in a skillet and add a tablespoon of butter. Spread the potato mixture evenly. Fry until the pancakes start to brown on the bottom.
5. Carefully flip the pancakes to the other side using a flat plate and continue frying until the other side is also golden brown.
6. Transfer the pancakes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in an oven preheated to 340 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4 minutes.

Pomme de Terre Darphin are best served hot, straight from the oven, with sour cream or a creamy mushroom sauce.