I thought I would begin this post with a little spring. I know I’ve been complaining a lot about the weather. A lot. So, in light that this past weekend we finally got some spring-like temperatures and it seemed that everything just burst into bloom, I wanted to share my joy. Yes, spring has sprung in Toronto (about damn time). Here are a few lovely blooms from my morning 8 km or almost 5 mile power walk through High Park.
Karma. It gets you every time. Case in point: last week I assisted on a national brand motion shoot (video for commercial), two action packed days of sorting through frozen product looking for the ‘perfect’ specimens and then deep frying said specimens. Yes, indeed my friends, deep frying! Now those of you who’ve followed Kitchen Inspirations over 7+ years know that I am not a fan of deep fried foods (yes, I know, it’s blasphemous) so deep frying two days straight was an experience, to say the least. And yes, I did smell like Eau de Frire!
This little recipe can be deep fried but it needn’t be, pan frying does the trick too. I made these for a special celebration coming up this weekend, my father in law turns 90! We’ll be springing him from the long term care facility to bring him to our house to party on. We’ll be breaking out the good china to celebrate! Happy Birthday Dad!
Mini Rösti Appetizers
Makes about 60 x 3 cm (~1.25 inch) diametre rounds
Ingredients:
- 600-800 g (1.3-1.8 lb) Yukon Gold Potatoes (actually, you can use any potato you would use as mashed potatoes)
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Peel and chop potatoes in half (you want a chunk large enough to grate without grating your knuckles).
- Put the potatoes into a pot with cold water and salt (this step was prevalent in many recipes, something to do with cooking evenly) and bring to a boil. Keep on the boil until there is still some resistance when you poke the pieces with a fork or cake tester — you definitely DO NOT want to cook them 100%.
- Remove potatoes from the pot and allow to cool completely.
- On a large grater, grate the potatoes entirely. Using a 3 cm (~1.25 inch) cookie cutter, sprayed with non-stick cooking oil, press a good tablespoon of grated potato into it and compress slightly. Lift cookie cutter off and repeat until all the potato is used up. Heat a large cast iron skillet with a few tablespoons of oil (err on more than less). Add the little rounds of potatoes and cook until they are crispy and golden on each side. Drain on paper towel, cool and then freeze on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, pack them into a zip lock bag. Use as required.
- To reheat: pre heat the oven to 300F and bake frozen potato rounds until warmed through, about 12 minutes.
I love magnolia – my mother has a tree in her front garden and it’s been interesting to watch it grow over the years, from something barely the same size as I am now, to a huge behemoth of a tree, covered in delicate, lemony-smelling blooms each year.
Love the look of the rosti Eva – very artfully put together with the salmon and herbs too!
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Thanks so much Charles. Saucer Magnolia is one of my favourite trees, I love it equally as much when it starts to litter its spent blooms over the garden, like pink snow!
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A lovely way to celebrate spring (finally) with these very yummy looking appetizers. I’ll take two of those AND a martini, please. 🙂
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Hi Betsy, thanks so much — it’s been long overdue for sure. Everything is now in full bloom and we have quite warm and humid weather, but I’m not complaining in the least.
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These are adorable Eva! What a clever idea (as usual) and I bet they tasted fantastic. I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful birthday celebration. And yes – it’s finally spring. Thank goodness.
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I bet the kids would love them, miniature things always intrigue kids. I’m so relieved that we finally got spring.
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So smart! Mini rostis!!!
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Thanks Chef Mimi.
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Wow. I like this one so much I pinned it twice. Must. Not. Forget.
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I’m not much of a pinner, but I suspect I’m already too involved with too many social media platforms, but be my guest pin away. Hope you enjoy them, I can hardly wait to see your spin on them!
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Cute rösti, Eva. I have never seen such small ones (but then it’s not a specialty of my part of Switzerland). I hope your father-in-law will be happy to have such delicious food to celebrate. I’m glad to see that spring has come finally to Toronto!
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Thanks so much Sissi, the family really enjoyed the little appi’s, sadly my FIL wasn’t feeling up to celebrating so he was taken home early. But he’s already talking about going to the cottage.
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About damn time. Heeheeh, that pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it. But look at how pretty… worth waiting for do you think? Congratulations to your father-in-law — what a milestone birthday too — wonderful. These nibbles look great Eva. I really like how you’ve rolled the salmon to get more on the small surface area – very clever and the presentation is just lovely looking. Festive! I would find the crispy potato base absolutely irresistible. Happy Celebrating!! 🙂
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Hi Kelly, thank you for your kind words and encouragement…about damn time, indeed! They are rather irresistible and I plan on making another batch to keep around in the freezer.
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What a gorgeous spring, the trees are positively glowing with health 😀
Happy birthday to your father in law, he sounds lovely 😀
Also am a big fan of these cute rosti appetisers, they look utterly delicious!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Hi there CCU, thanks so much, spring has been a long time coming. Thank you for your kind words to my FIL, I will pass along your good wishes.
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Spring in Toronto looks really beautiful. I love the magnolia and the cherry blossoms – so pretty. That’s quite a power walk you do! And happy 90th to your FIL – how amazing to make it to 90. That will be an incredible birthday party. I love your potato rosti – they look amazing xx
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Thanks so much Charlie, I am really enjoying the power walks, I’m not much of a runner, I don’t like all the jostling that goes on in my head! Yes, it’s quite amazing to reach that ripe old age, I just wish he had kept more active so that he would be more likely to enjoy this part of his life too.
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Happy Birthday to your father in law Eva! And you’ve got a right to complain about your weather. You’ve had a terribly long and cold winter this year!
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Thanks Lorraine, I’ll pass along your kind wishes. Yes, we do deserve this beautiful spring for sure.
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Thank you for sharing a picture of those lovely spring blossoms. I haven’t been paying enough attention to them while driving out and about but I’ll keep an eye open for the beauty in the heart of my mid-sized city from now one.
The rosti are a lovely base for your smoked salmon appetizers.
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Thanks Maria, with all the pressures of life, it’s sometimes difficult to remember to stop and smell the roses so I’m glad that my post inspired you to do just that! Thank you for your kind words about the appetizers.
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Eva my first thought was these would be perfect with prosciutto!
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Oh my, now that’s a splendid idea Zsuzsa!
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Happy 90th birthday. That’s quite a long time to be on the planet. You’re wonderful for making him feel this special.
Your rosti appetizers look wonderful.
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It sure is Maureen, I just wish he was more in the shape of your FIL, sadly my FIL was never very active and that leads to a very, very sedentary elderly life (read: sleeps 22 out of 24 hours). The trick is to keep the brain active and have a little activity. He wasn’t feeling up to a party so we gave him cake and he was taken back to his home, he did mention that he really enjoyed it and would like to come back to sit in our garden!
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Spring finally arrives at your place, huh? Beautiful cherry tree!
Rösti is a favourite of my parents in law.. these mini appetizers look so
delicious with smoked salmon.
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Thanks so much Angie, it was a lovely little bite to have. Spring has certainly been received with open arms, everyone (greenery) seems to be very happy it’s so warm.
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