Growing up we ate a lot of potatoes. Mum has mentioned more than once there were times when us kids only ate potatoes and not much else! I’m sure we ate other things, but I do have strong memories of freshly cooked spuds, generously slathered in butter and sprinkled with nutritional yeast (don’t judge, we were hippy kids lol). One of my favourite memory-inducing kitchen smells is that of new season potatoes being boiled with fresh mint sprigs. To this day it’s still one of the things I love most about summer, along with bucketfuls of fresh sun-ripened tomatoes and courgettes (zucchini) cooking in garlic butter…
In this modern world of non-stop availability when it comes to most fruit and vegetables, it’s nice to celebrate those few things that are still truly seasonal. Things that are only available for a short period of time, like new season Perlas, which are only available during the spring and summer seasons, from September through to March.
Ready to cook straight from the box, Perlas are a simple and delicious addition to your summer BBQ or potluck. Perfect for eating hot or cold, you can boil them, roast them, and add them to salads or curries (to name but a few ideas). Many of you will know I love to roast everything in sight, so after a quick boil in minted water I decided to lightly smash the perlas before drizzling in olive oil and roasting until golden and crispy. The horseradish mayonnaise is a cinch to make and brings a lovely creamy hit with a little bite to it, and who doesn’t love a little flavourful mayo with their roasties? To freshen things up I served them with freshly picked (uptown) landcress, mint and sliced red onion from our garden, but rocket (arugula) or watercress would also be lovely as would a little crunchy iceburg lettuce if that’s all you have. Or, just eat the crispy spuds with mayo and try not to grin from ear to ear 🙂
What would you make with new season Perlas?
I served these crispy spuds with a simple salad consisting of freshly picked (uptown) landcress (which is like watercress only it grows in the garden, not water!), mint leaves and finely sliced red onion. Rocket (arugula) leaves would be a great alternative. I used prepared grated horseradish as it’s not the easiest thing to find here in fresh form (though I am trying my hand at growing some in the garden at the moment), but should you be able to get your hands on fresh, simply finely grate this and add, to taste. If vegan, simply use vegan mayonnaise.
Serves 4-6
1.5kg box Perlas new season potatoes
Handful mint leaves
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
Cress, fresh mint leaves and finely sliced red onion, to serve, optional
Creamy horseradish mayonnaise
4 tablespoons good quality mayonnaise (vegan or regular)
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, or to taste
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Preheat oven to 190C (375F). Transfer potatoes to a medium saucepan, cover with water, and add mint leaves and a good teaspoon or two of salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook 12-15 minutes or until tender. Drain, transfer potatoes to an oven tray, using the bottom of a glass, press to lightly crush each potato. Drizzle with olive oil, season with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, then roast 20-30 minutes or until golden and crispy. Remove from the oven, serve hot with combined cress, mint and sliced red onion, and drizzle generously with the creamy horseradish mayonnaise.
To make the creamy horseradish mayonnaise, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl, adding as little or as much prepared horseradish as you like. It varies a lot in strength from jar to jar (if you can get your hands on fresh horseradish and grate your own, even better!), so I’d recommend adding a little at a time and tasting as you go.
This post is sponsored by Wilcox Perlas Potatoes. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting those companies who allow me to continue to share my work.
4 Responses
These look delicious!
I love a good smashed potato – but the horseradish mayonnaise is what takes this to the next level.
Yum!
Roast taties like this are so delicious aren’t they? Something so simple can give so much joy, yummo!
Wow, these Smash roasted potatoes look seriously delicious. Thanks for the recipe
You’re welcome! Hope you try them 🙂