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Boiled Potatoes with Lemon, Parsley, and Olive Oil

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 3, 2009

Yield

Serves 4

Boiled Potatoes with Lemon, Parsley, and Olive Oil

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 pounds small Red Bliss or new potatoes, scrubbedlemon zest from 1 lemon, minced3 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, choppedSalt and ground black pepper

Before You Begin

The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potatoes. For potatoes that measure 2 to 2½ inches in diameter (you will need 12 to 17 potatoes to make 2 pounds), plan on 15 to 18 minutes of cooking time. For potatoes that measure 1½ to 2 inches in diameter (you will need 18 to 24 potatoes to make 2 pounds), plan on 12 to 15 minutes of cooking time. For potatoes that measure 1 to 1½ inches in diameter (you will need 25 to 31 potatoes to make 2 pounds), plan on 10 to 12 minutes of cooking time. For potatoes that measure less than 1 inch in diameter (you will need 32 or more potatoes to make 2 pounds), plan on 8 to 10 minutes of cooking time.

Instructions

  1. Place the potatoes and 1 tablespoon salt in a Dutch oven and fill with enough cold water to cover the potatoes by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring once or twice, until the potatoes are just tender when pierced with a thin-bladed knife or skewer, 8 to 18 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes. Drain the potatoes.
  2. Cut the potatoes in half. Place the halved ­potatoes in the bowl with the oil and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss with lemon zest and parsley to blend. Serve immediately.
Boiled Potatoes with Lemon, Parsley, and Olive Oil

Boiled Potatoes with Lemon, Parsley, and Olive Oil

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds small Red Bliss or new potatoes, scrubbed
lemon zest from 1 lemon, minced
3 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped
Salt and ground black pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds small Red Bliss or new potatoes, scrubbed
lemon zest from 1 lemon, minced
3 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped
Salt and ground black pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds small Red Bliss or new potatoes, scrubbed
lemon zest from 1 lemon, minced
3 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped
Salt and ground black pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

We found, while developing our boiled potatoes recipe, that the best potatoes for boiling and buttering are less than 2 ½ inches in diameter. We boiled them with their skins on until a paring knife or skewer glided easily through one. In our boiled potatoes recipe, we wanted the flesh to be exposed to soak up the oil and seasoning, so we cut the potatoes in half after they were fully cooked and then immediately added them to the bowl with the olive oil. As soon as the potatoes were coated with fat, the seasonings could be added.

Before You Begin

The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potatoes. For potatoes that measure 2 to 2½ inches in diameter (you will need 12 to 17 potatoes to make 2 pounds), plan on 15 to 18 minutes of cooking time. For potatoes that measure 1½ to 2 inches in diameter (you will need 18 to 24 potatoes to make 2 pounds), plan on 12 to 15 minutes of cooking time. For potatoes that measure 1 to 1½ inches in diameter (you will need 25 to 31 potatoes to make 2 pounds), plan on 10 to 12 minutes of cooking time. For potatoes that measure less than 1 inch in diameter (you will need 32 or more potatoes to make 2 pounds), plan on 8 to 10 minutes of cooking time.

Instructions

  1. Place the potatoes and 1 tablespoon salt in a Dutch oven and fill with enough cold water to cover the potatoes by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring once or twice, until the potatoes are just tender when pierced with a thin-bladed knife or skewer, 8 to 18 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes. Drain the potatoes.
  2. Cut the potatoes in half. Place the halved ­potatoes in the bowl with the oil and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss with lemon zest and parsley to blend. Serve immediately.

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