Some people get excited when a fun group of friends comes to the house unexpectedly. Some people prefer privacy. But no one is immune to spontaneous visits. Some guests can be easily treated, while others need a real gourmet treat. Or maybe you’ve been expecting guests for a while, but just don’t know what to surprise them with. Want some advice? A lot? Now you will learn how ordinary potatoes can decorate both a friendly gathering and an almost royal table.

Potato Impromptu

– Take potatoes according to the formula of 2 medium-sized tubers per guest. Wash them, but don’t peel them. Cut them in half, salt them.

– Brush the cut with soft butter using a whisk (it’s a bunch of feathers, if you don’t know). A broad brush will do as well. Season to your liking. 

– Peel a couple of garlic cloves and place them on the cut. The base is ready. 

– Spread the potatoes on a baking tray with the unpeeled side down. Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes.

Cheese Fancy

– Melt grated hard cheese in a teflon ladle over low heat. You don’t need to melt it until smooth: the lumps will give the dish a tanginess! Leave the potatoes to bake for a while.

– In the melted cheese we put finely chopped greens: dill, parsley, coriander – whatever you have. We leave it on the stove (if there is a danger of burning – then on a steam bath). Add black and red pepper. 

– Take the jacket potatoes and carefully spoon the sauce onto each half.

– Open a can of green or black olives and place a berry in the center of each potato half. Place a couple of cranberries nearby to enhance the flavor.

Good old mayonnaise

If even with cheese this dish seems a little dry to you, here’s an indispensable recipe: 

– Mix mayonnaise and sour cream in a 1:1 ratio.

– Add a little lemon juice to taste (optional). Pour everything into two bowls. For color, add a few drops of ketchup per bowl. 

– Using cooking spray, garnish the potatoes and serve. The net cooking time is 20 minutes!

Add some exotics

If you have a couple of avocados in the house, you can have a real banquet in 30 minutes: 

– Roast the potatoes by washing and slicing them – just like last time. 

– Slice the avocado, dredge with a spoon, whisk with a mixer or blender, season to taste. 

– Remove some pulp from the middle of the cooked potatoes and replace it with the avocado, processed as described above. Don’t forget to add the butter! You can also take all the pulp out of the potatoes and mix it with the avocado, even add onions fried until golden. Also great. But that’s a plus of 15 minutes.

The amazing thing is that even with a modest set of ingredients, you can make a treat that guests will remember for a long time. Just make sure they don’t forget to call you back later – after all, chefs have to compete!

Baked potato wedges

– Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Wash the potatoes (you can peel them if you want) and cut them into wedges. Put them in a bowl of water and add two cups of ice cubes. Leave it for 30 minutes, then dry it with paper towels.

– Mix ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon paprika and ¼ teaspoon black pepper in a large, thick bag. Add the potato slices and shake well. Then add ¼ cup olive oil to the bag and shake again until the potatoes are coated with the spice mixture.

– Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay out the potato slices and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the potatoes are brown and crispy. While the potatoes are baking, chop two tablespoons of fresh parsley and mix in a large bowl with the grated cheese.

– Remove potatoes from baking sheet and place in cheese and parsley mixture, stir. Spicy, beautiful, delicious!

Shepherd’s pie with potatoes and lamb

Ingredients:

1. onions – 1 pc;

Carrots – 200 grams;

Potatoes – 600 grams;

Ground lamb (or minced meat) – 500 grams;

5. vegetable oil – two tablespoons;

6. flour – one tablespoon;

7. butter – 25 grams;

8. light cream – 150 ml;

9. dried ground herbs – 0,5 teaspoon;

10. tomato juice – 250 ml;

11. ground black pepper, salt.

– Peel the potatoes and boil them in salted water. Mashed potato it, add cream and butter. Peel the onion and finely chop it. Peel and finely dice carrots. Place in a frying pan with heated oil and fry until the onions are soft.

– Add the minced lamb (minced meat) to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir and fry over medium heat until meat is browned. Add flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spatula. Cook for 5 minutes.

– Add tomato juice, herbs, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Place meat and vegetables in a large baking dish. Place the mashed potatoes on top of the meat and vegetables. Flatten the surface with a fork. 

– Bake at 190 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Two minutes before it is ready, you can turn on the grill. Allow the pie to cool slightly before cutting it into portions.

– Your whole family will love this old-fashioned British dish!