Confit of Heirloom Potatoes with Grilled Ramps and Taleggio
So simple and so good. Chef Alex Seidel uses potatoes grown on his farm; purchase yours from the farmers market if possible, for the best flavor. The earthiness of the potatoes paired with the oniony ramps and pungent, creamy Taleggio is an unbeatable combination. Be sure to have the cheese brought up to room temperature before using, says Seidel; otherwise, “you’ll have to melt it in the oven and the cheese will lose its textural integrity.”
Ingredients
- 1 pound unsalted butter
- 1 cup canola oil plus extra
- for sauteeing
- 1 pound fingerling potatoes scrubbed,
- rinsed and patted dry
- Kosher salt
- 4 leeks white and light green parts
- only halved lengthwise, rinsed, and
- thinly sliced
- 2 shallots minced
- 1 bunch Italian parsley finely chopped
- 12 fresh ramps (substitute green or
- spring onions if necessary) cleaned
- and left whole
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces Taleggio sliced into 8 pieces,
- at room temperature
Instructions
- Combine three-quarters of the butter (3 sticks) with the oil in a heavy bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven. Add the potatoes, and over low heat, bring the butter/oil mixture to temperature at 140°F (use a candy thermometer). Slow-poach the potatoes until tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife. When ready, remove them from the fat mixture with a slotted spoon, and place on a baking sheet. Salt generously and let cool.
- Meanwhile, blanch the leeks in salted, boiling water. Drain and chop. Slice the cooled potatoes into 1/4-inch-thick coins.
- In a large saute pan, add just enough canola oil to coat the bottom. Heat over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the sliced potatoes, and saute until beginning to brown. Add the leeks, remaining butter, minced shallot, and parsley and continue to cook until the potatoes are golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside. Meanwhile, heat a grill over high heat for the ramps.
- When the grill is ready, toss the ramps in a bowl with a small amount of canola oil, salt, and pepper. Grill the ramps whole until tender.
- To serve, place a portion of warm potatoes on each plate and top with slices of Taleggio, so the cheese melts. Top with a grilled ramp and serve immediately.
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Chef Alex Seidel
Alex Seidel never imagined that one day he would be raising sheep and producing Coloradoʼs first artisanal Sheepʼs Milk Cheeses. Itʼs his passion for food that has allowed him to travel the country to experience his first love, cooking. A couple years after opening his first restaurant Fruition, Alex purchased a ten-acre farm. This fueled his desire to learn more about food, how it is produced, and from where it is sourced.
