Portuguese Batatas a Murro Recipe 🥔🇵🇹
Overview:
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 5
Ingredients:
- 5 baking potatoes
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 5-8 garlic cloves
- Freshly ground pepper
- Green onion
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: 134.6
- Fat: 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 6.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 31.1g
- Fiber: 2.8g
- Sugar: 1.3g
- Protein: 3g
Recipe Instructions:
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Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Prepare Potatoes: Wash the baking potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
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Bake Potatoes: Place the whole, unwrapped potatoes directly onto the oven rack and bake them for about 40 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and tender. You can test their doneness by inserting a fork into the center of a potato; it should slide in easily.
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Create “Batatas a Murro”: Once the potatoes are baked, carefully remove them from the oven using oven mitts or kitchen towels to protect your hands from the heat. With the back of a fork or a potato masher, gently “punch” each potato to create a small indentation. This action allows the center of the potato to pop open and creates space for the toppings.
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Add Garlic and Green Onions: Stuff each open potato with crushed garlic cloves and finely chopped green onions. The amount can vary depending on your preference for flavor intensity.
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Drizzle with Olive Oil: Generously drizzle each potato with extra virgin olive oil, allowing it to seep into the nooks and crannies of the potato flesh.
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Season with Pepper: Sprinkle freshly ground pepper over the top of each potato to add a flavorful kick.
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Serve and Enjoy: These delicious Portuguese Batatas a Murro are traditionally served alongside grilled cod fish, but they can also be enjoyed as a standalone dish. Serve them hot and savor the creamy texture of the potato combined with the aromatic flavors of garlic, green onion, and olive oil.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, you can add a sprinkle of sea salt along with the freshly ground pepper.
- Customize the toppings to your liking by adding other herbs and spices such as parsley, paprika, or rosemary.
- Ensure the potatoes are thoroughly washed and dried before baking to achieve a crispy skin.
Final Thoughts:
Portuguese Batatas a Murro is a simple yet satisfying dish that showcases the natural goodness of baked potatoes enhanced with the bold flavors of garlic, green onion, and olive oil. Whether served as a side dish or a main course, these “punched” potatoes are sure to impress with their rustic charm and delightful taste. Enjoy the culinary journey to Portugal right in your own kitchen! 🇵🇹🥔
