Candy potatoes are the sort of low-effort aspect that may style extra glamorous with the assistance of some substances. This recipe begins with 4 halved candy potatoes tossed with a easy seasoning mixture of olive oil, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika for a contact of woody smokiness. The seasoning permeates the pores and skin, and the olive oil helps the pores and skin crisp within the oven. 

The candy potato halves are baked at 400°F till the pores and skin turns crisp and the interiors flip creamy and frivolously fluffy. The standard ending pat of butter that melts into the flesh is amped up with white soy sauce, or shiro shoyu, a sort of Japanese soy sauce with a delicate sweetness; lighter umami; and a pale, light-amber coloration. The white soy sauce seasons the potatoes with out muddying their orange coloration and provides complementary sweet-savory notes. A garnish of sliced scallions provides freshness with a gentle onion taste that ties all the things collectively.

Whereas this recipe is straightforward and easy, there are a couple of key strategies that guarantee success. On the grocery retailer, select candy potatoes of comparable measurement in order that they roast evenly. When baking, unfold them in a single layer with lower sides down so the flesh makes direct contact with the pan and permits the pure sugars to caramelize. Additionally, don’t skip the mid-roast flip to advertise even browning and tremendous tender flesh. And, for white soy sauce, examine your native Asian grocery retailer or supply it on-line. When you can’t discover it, common soy sauce works; simply use a lighter hand to keep away from overpowering the potatoes or darkening their coloration.

White soy sauce vs. common Japanese soy sauce: what’s the distinction?

White soy sauce (shiro shoyu) is a Japanese soy sauce made with a a lot greater proportion of wheat (about 80% to 90% wheat to 10% to twenty% soybeans). This provides it a pale amber coloration, a lighter physique, and a gently candy, subtly salty taste. Common darkish Japanese soy sauce (koikuchi shoyu) is made with roughly equal components soybeans and wheat, leading to its deep coloration and powerful umami. Use white soy sauce once you need seasoning with out darkening a dish, equivalent to clear broths, chawanmushi, and delicate sauces.

The very best candy potato selection for this recipe 

Except in any other case specified within the recipe, a Beauregard candy potato is without doubt one of the most typical orange-fleshed candy potatoes bought in U.S. supermarkets (although varieties like Covington are additionally extensively bought.) Beauregards vary from a light-weight rose to coppery-red pores and skin with orange flesh. Many cooks describe the flavour as candy with delicate nutty notes. Texture smart, the flesh cooks up creamy which makes this selection appropriate for roasted candy potatoes or candy potato pie. 

Notes from the Meals & Wine Check Kitchen

• Flipping the candy potatoes midway ensures even caramelization and avoids soggy skins.
• Partially cook dinner the candy potatoes within the microwave for about 3 to 4 minutes on HIGH earlier than roasting to chop oven time in half.
• High with toasted sesame seeds or chopped scallions for additional texture and taste.

This recipe was developed by Tyson Cole; the textual content was written by Andee Gosnell.