Trixie Belle's Breakfast Potatoes

Back in the day when I was single and (much) younger, there were two things that ruled my eating habits. A) I didn't have a ton of money to spend on food and B) I could eat like a pig and not gain an ounce. That meant potatoes. Lots of potatoes. Morning, noon and night potatoes. They were cheap and eating a lot of them did nothing to my thighs or waistline. Now, the spuds are still pretty cheap but if I so much as look at them, my thighs seem to get an inch bigger and my stomach balloons. Ah yes, I remember the unlimited amounts of potato days with fondness.

My 'go to' potato dish back then were these "Breakfast Potatoes" though I tended to fix them anytime I was hungry (and they were usually eaten alone with no eggs or other accompaniments). I usually had potatoes on hand and this recipe was quick and easy to make. Though potatoes, chili powder and Tabasco sauce were the main ingredients, at times I would throw in onions, bell peppers, heck even some bacon. And it doesn't matter what kind of potatoes either as this works with russets, yukon gold or any other form of the spuds (though I admit I usually bought the cheap ten pound bag of russets for my potato addiction-this was also back when most grocery's only carried the russet kind). Over the years, I have refined my process of this recipe and though I might have had some interesting setbacks when I first made this I now have the recipe down pat and the potatoes tend to turn out perfectly for me every time.

When Noble Pig admitted she was obsessed with potatoes and was starting a monthly potato blogging event, I knew that I couldn't pass up the challenge. This event gives me the chance to cook potatoes at least once a month without feeling guilty. While going through all my cookbooks trying to find a dish to make for the first months event I kept remembering my old potato standby the Breakfast Potatoes and thought that's what I should make.

I used baby new potatoes for this dish but you can use any variety that you like. I made this as a mid afternoon snack (after a late breakfast of quail eggs and beef prime short ribs karubi-more on that later). Mr. L seemed to like them as he kept asking for more.

The round up will be on Noble Pigs blog on the 16th, I'll post a link to it when it's up. As for who the heck Trixie Belle is? She's just my inner potato-ho!

TRIXIE BELLE'S BREAKFAST POTATOES

Potatoes (any kind)
Oil (Veggie or Olive, or whatever)
Chili Pepper
Tabasco
Butter
Salt

Nuke the potatoes until a fork can barely go through them (or you can boil them to almost done). Cut them into cubes, squares, half moons or any shape you would like (the smaller they are the quicker they brown and cook). If you want to stand at the stove all afternoon, forget this step and just cube the potatoes and throw them in the hot pan raw...they will take until next Tuesday to cook (can yah tell that's how I first tried to cook them??).

Heat a pan (medium to medium hot), pour some oil in and when it's hot, put the nuked potatoes in. Let them sit for a bit to get a nice crust. Turn them periodically to get that nice crust on as many sides as possible. Add a couple dashes of Tabasco and chili pepper to taste about two minutes before you think they are done. Add some butter (a little or a lot depending on if you like your potatoes a bit dry or a bit moist). Plate and salt. Normally serves one, but if pressed I do share.

Please note: If you forget that the potatoes are on the stove and do something stupid like spend half an hour dancing in your living room to the latest Duran Duran or a-ha song, the potatoes will probably get more crust than you would like...you will have to start all over or make a run to McDonald's for fries, call out for pizza or possibly starve. Also note that if you get a little carried away and add a little to much chili powder and Tabasco sauce the potatoes might just be a little too spicy hot to eat and you'll burn your lips and have to explain to your date why your lips are all puffy and since this was before big lips were sexy, you would just come off looking like Bozo The Clown because all that heat would have made your whole face turn red to go with the big lips.

Note: I used baby new potatoes. I left out the Tabasco because Mr. L values his lips and he made me share. I used Maldon salt. I also added some paprika to make them look more dangerously hot than they really were.

Note: There were no leftovers (sorry Mom!)

Comments

[peabody]

Sadly, I never experienced the eat what you want and never gain a pound. I am hoping that since it didn't happen earlier in my life...it will happpen later, eh? ;)

[Jan]

LOL - a cheap and yummy way to plump your lips. What more could a girl ask for?

[noble pig]

These are awesome! Send me your entry when you get a chance...thanks for playing along!

[barbie2be]

these look and sound yummy delish!

[Mrs. L]

Peabody - One can only hope...maybe mine will reverse itself?

Jan - I may have to give that free lump pluming by potato another try.

Noble Pig - It's on it's way.

[Ann]

Mmm, potatoes. . .

[Louise]

Oh, yummy! I go through phases where a baked potato and with a little cheese and cracked pepper on top makes a perfect, well rounded breakfast. OK, maybe it makes ME well rounded, but oh is it good!

[Amy]

I can eat and not gain an ounce.....Well maybe if i'm eating raw broccoli!!

[grace]

two things i love: taters and HEAT. i love that you put both chili powder and tabasco in the dish (when you're not sacrificing the sauce for your husband...). :)

[evil chef mom]

i have to agree with grace my two favorite things are potatoes and heat. good recipe! thanks for joining in on the ho down. can't wait to see what you come up with next month.

[Christie @ fig&cherry]

Potatoes for breakfast? I love the sound of that!! Especially with the addition of tabasco sauce. Yum!

[Paula]

Wow, these look great! I bet they taste terrific, too!