Spiced Baked Potatoes

17/11/2023

Let me describe a simple and delicious recipe to prepare spiced baked potatoes, with that Italian touch that never hurts. If you have specific spices you would like to use, let me know!

Ingredients

1 kg of potatoes
2 cloves of garlic
As needed fresh rosemary
As needed dried oregano
As needed coarse salt
As needed black pepper
As needed sweet or smoked paprika
Extra virgin olive oil
Chili powder (optional for a spicy touch)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 200°C.
Thoroughly wash the potatoes and cut them into wedges or cubes, depending on your preference. It is not necessary to peel them, as the skin will become crispy during cooking.
In a large bowl, mix the potatoes with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Add the two cloves of garlic, crushed or finely chopped.
Season with chopped fresh rosemary, dried oregano, coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika, and if you like, a pinch of chili powder.
Mix everything well so that the spices and oil evenly coat the potatoes.
Arrange the potatoes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper in a single layer, avoiding overlaps to ensure even cooking.
Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the potatoes are golden and crispy on the outside.
Halfway through cooking, turn the potatoes to ensure that they brown on all sides.

For an even more Italian touch, you could add some black olives to the tray or sprinkle the potatoes with grated Parmesan cheese a few minutes before finishing cooking, to create a delicious cheesy crust.

Curiosity

Baked potatoes are a very versatile side dish that pairs well with many aromatic herbs and spices. Each variation of spices brings with it a new flavor profile, making this simple dish something new every time it is prepared. In Italy, rosemary and garlic are very commonly used in the more classic versions of baked potatoes.