# Need potato side dish for dinner
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [March 28, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642 "2019-03-28T01:18:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/1 "2019-03-28T01:18:57Z")
So I found a great boneless pork chop recipe: [https://www.eatwell101.com/boneless-pork-chops-in-creamy-garlic-butter-sauce](https://www.eatwell101.com/boneless-pork-chops-in-creamy-garlic-butter-sauce) and it’s actually really tasty. But I’m having trouble finding a good starch side for it. Sauteed green beans are good for the vegetable, but even my kids think that plain mashed potatoes are too mundane for this dish. I tried some garlic angel-hair pasta, which was okay, but I’m thinking there is a better side to try.
Any good suggestions?
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### Author:  [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/2 "2019-03-28T01:21:03Z")
I get raves from this - [Crash Hot Potatoes](https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/crash-hot-potatoes/).
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### Author:  [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/3 "2019-03-28T01:31:14Z")
I like to do a basic variation on a classic baked spud. It’s very simple, just take a classic Russet potato, cut it lengthwise and place it cut side down in a liberally oiled and salted cast iron skillet. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees and start to cook the spuds on the stove top. After the cut sides of the potatoes have picked up a bit of color and the skillet is nice and hot, oil and salt the tops of the potato skins and slide them into the oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until done to your liking. Enjoy just like a nice, crispy skinned baker but with the added yum of browned goodness.
I like it.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/4 "2019-03-28T01:38:48Z")
> [@jasg](#):
>
> I get raves from this - [Crash Hot Potatoes](https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/crash-hot-potatoes/).
Those sound great!
However, I’m a bit baffled why the OP needs a side that is anything more than a sauce delivery system for that fantastic main dish.
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### Author:  [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/5 "2019-03-28T01:42:19Z")
Both those potato recipes sound great, I think I’ll try them both (at different times 🙂 )
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> Those sound great!
>
> However, I’m a bit baffled why the OP needs a side that is anything more than a sauce delivery system for that fantastic main dish.
Yeah, it’s really really good. I would just eat the pork with the sauce, but kids need a well-balanced meal for some reason. Just a pain in my a\*\*! 🙂
Did I mention that it is ridiculously good? I was surprised myself.
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### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/6 "2019-03-28T01:53:35Z")
[Hasselback potatoes](https://www.feastingathome.com/rosemary-garlic-hasselback-potatoes/).
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### Author:  [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/7 "2019-03-28T01:55:40Z")
What do YOU know, uh…Chefguy? 🙂
Just kidding. I make those every once in a while, but they always turn out dry and not that good. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong.
However, thinking about it, the sauce from the main might make them pretty delicious.
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/8 "2019-03-28T01:58:17Z")
[Scalloped potatoes.](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/240290/moms-scalloped-potatoes/)
And, now that I’ve looked at the recipe, I just think it’s hilarious that you looked at a recipe that’s proud to be low carb and thought “Hmm, how do I add potatoes to this?”
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### Author:  [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/9 "2019-03-28T02:08:28Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#):
>
> [Scalloped potatoes.](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/240290/moms-scalloped-potatoes/)
>
> And, now that I’ve looked at the recipe, I just think it’s hilarious that you looked at a recipe that’s proud to be low carb and thought “Hmm, how do I add potatoes to this?”
LOL, I don’t care about that 🙂
I like scalloped potatoes, but they already have their own type of sauce. Best goes with ham.
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### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/10 "2019-03-28T02:22:40Z")
> [@Slash1972](#):
>
> What do YOU know, uh…Chefguy? 🙂
>
> Just kidding. I make those every once in a while, but they always turn out dry and not that good. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong.
>
> However, thinking about it, the sauce from the main might make them pretty delicious.
Well then, how about [potatoes au gratin](https://www.fifteenspatulas.com/potato-gratin/)? Creamy, cheesy, plus you get to say _au gratin_.
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### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/11 "2019-03-28T03:16:48Z")
At this point you’re using a mandoline to slice the potatoes, right?
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### Author:  [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/12 "2019-03-28T07:42:29Z")
[Fondant](https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/fondantpotatoes_93087) potatoes.
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### Author:  [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/13 "2019-03-28T09:04:03Z")
> [@Slash1972](#):
>
> So I found a great boneless pork chop recipe: [https://www.eatwell101.com/boneless-pork-chops-in-creamy-garlic-butter-sauce](https://www.eatwell101.com/boneless-pork-chops-in-creamy-garlic-butter-sauce) and it’s actually really tasty. But I’m having trouble finding a good starch side for it. Sauteed green beans are good for the vegetable, but even my kids think that plain mashed potatoes are too mundane for this dish. I tried some garlic angel-hair pasta, which was okay, but I’m thinking there is a better side to try.
>
> Any good suggestions?
Mashed _purrusalda_. Cook together potatoes, a couple of chopped-up carrots and a chopped-up leek. Drain and purée. If you don’t do the drain and purée part, the soup is called _purrusalda_ 🙂 (leek is _puerro_ in Spanish).
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### Author:  [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/14 "2019-03-28T12:06:01Z")
Not fancy, but one of my husband’s favorites is when I slice up some onions and cube some potatoes, then fry them up together. It’s quick and easy if nothing else.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/15 "2019-03-28T12:15:29Z")
I like to make mashed potatoes using rutabagas and potatoes, whipping them with milk, butter, and cream cheese.
I’ve also been making amazing steak fries in an air fryer recently.
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### Author:  [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/16 "2019-03-28T12:28:22Z")
> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> [Fondant](https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/fondantpotatoes_93087) potatoes.
I think I’m going to go with this. But thanks everybody for all the suggestions, I’ll try to make them all at some point since they all sound great.
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### Author:  [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/17 "2019-03-28T13:51:23Z")
My original recipe: Cut up unpeeled red potatoes and sweet potatoes. Cook till soft and drain.
Thin whole berry cranberry sauce with orange juice, heat and pour over potatoes.
Serve.
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### Author:  [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/18 "2019-03-28T14:02:48Z")
The first thing that popped into my mind was something like a twice baked potato. Bake a couple of spuds, slice in half and scoop out the innards. Mash up with some of the sauce from the pork chops til you get a nice creamy consistency and pipe back into the potato skins. Put em under the broiler to get crispy and browned on top.
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### Author:  [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/19 "2019-03-28T14:14:21Z")
These are always a winner:
[https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2008/05/heston-blumenthals-roast-potatoes-recipe.html](https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2008/05/heston-blumenthals-roast-potatoes-recipe.html)
In essence, you boil your potatoes, and then treat them kind of roughly, then bake them in a hot oven. Those parts you beat up end up adding surface area and get super-crispy.
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-potato-side-dish-for-dinner/831642/20 "2019-03-28T14:52:16Z")
> [@Slash1972](#):
>
> I think I’m going to go with this. But thanks everybody for all the suggestions, I’ll try to make them all at some point since they all sound great.
Looks like a good choice. Given that your main dish is very much rich and saucy, I’d go with something straightforward and more plain as a side. I was going to suggest either the smashed roasted potatoes a la **jasg** and **bump** , or something like a German potato dumpling/Kartoffelklöße/Knödel or even a gnocchi-type thing. Certainly the smashed roasted potatoes and the fondant potatoes are more interesting, but the Central/Eastern European in me is a sucker for potato dumplings when it comes to any kind of really saucy dish (_kopytka_ were a staple for such dishes growing up–they’re the Polish version of gnocchi, basically. Or _kluski śląskie_, “Silesian dumplings,” another type of potato dumpling.)
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