Getting it together: rhubarb and potatoes
Rhubarb and potatoes.
Both commonly grown in Irish gardens but it would, to say the least of it, be a rare occurrence to find them cosying up together on an Irish dinner plate. Even though rhubarb is, technically, a vegetable, we’re far more likely to consign it to dessert, where copious amounts of sugar soften its natural sharpness.
But y’know what? If spuds can be used in desserts, then why not rhubarb for dinner? Certainly, if you read Mary Prior’s delightful book, Rhubarbaria, you won’t be left short of ideas for unusual rhubarb dishes, both savoury and sweet.
Under the heading of rhubarb as a vegetable, she includes a Polish recipe for rhubarb and potatoes, taken from Uniwersalna Ksiazka Kucharska, a classic domestic handbook by Maria Ochorowicz-Monatowa, first published in 1910. Reading the recipe, I was hard pressed to imagine what it would be like, consisting of rhubarb cooked in a mushroom and onion broth, which was then thickened and added to boiled new potatoes. For a start, there was no sugar anywhere, and I couldn’t recall having ever tried a rhubarb recipe – even a savoury one – that didn’t involve adding at least a little sweetness.
Still, nothing else for it but to try it out and, while I can safely say that the dish would never score highly in the looks department, I actually liked the end result. In fact, I liked it a lot. So much so that I thought I should share it with you, but not before dressing it up just a little.
Introducing the rhubarb and potato gratin
Rhubarb and Potato Gratin
This is adapted from the original Polish recipe for rhubarb and potatoes in two important ways: one is the addition of the breadcrumb topping which, frankly, just makes it an altogether more pleasant looking dish to serve up; the other is that I have reduced the amount of rhubarb by half.
The resulting dish has (to my mind) a pleasant tang, as opposed to a more pronounced tartness (though you can experiment with adding more rhubarb if you like). Also, where the original recipe called for dried mushrooms, I have used dried porcini, which give a nice depth of flavour, though you can try this out with whatever dried mushrooms you can get.
You’re also probably wondering (as was I when I tried the original recipe) about what exactly you would eat this with. While you could certainly scoff a portion of this on its own, I think pork, and particularly pork sausages, would make a very good accompaniment.
For the broth:
- 600ml water
- 6 dried porcini mushrooms (about 12g), roughly chopped, or substitute other dried mushrooms
- 1 medium onion, about 150g, sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 x 10cm sprigs of dill
- 0.5 tsp salt
- freshly ground black pepper
For the topping:
- 100g fresh breadcrumbs
- 2 tblsp butter
- 3 tblsp almonds, roughly chopped (optional)
- coarse salt
For the rest of the sauce:
- 200g rhubarb, wiped clean and sliced into 2-3cm lengths
- 2 tblsp butter
- 2 tblsp plain flour
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 4 tsp chopped chives
- 500g boiled or steamed new potatoes (or any waxy potato), cut into chunks approx. 1-2cm thick
You’ll also need:
- An ovenproof dish, one that’s around 18cm x 24cm and 4cm deep should do it.
The Steps:
- To make the broth, add the water, dried mushrooms, onion, bay leaves, dill, salt and a few twists of black pepper to a heavy, medium-sized saucepan. Bring to a boil over a medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, covered, for about 30 minutes.
- While the broth is simmering, you can prepare the topping. Start by heating a large frying pan over a medium heat. When hot, add 2 tblsp butter. Then add the breadcrumbs and almonds. Stir and fry for about 5 minutes or until the breadcrumbs start to turn golden, then remove from the heat. Sprinkle in a few flakes of coarse salt.
- When the broth has finished simmering, add the rhubarb to the saucepan and simmer until tender and starting to disintegrate, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and strain the liquid from the saucepan through a sieve into a bowl. At this point, what you have left in the sieve will have the appearance of a rather unattractive rhubarb mush and you may be tempted to turf it out but resist, it will be needed later.
- Now preheat your oven to 180C.
- Return your saucepan to a medium heat and add 2 tblsp butter. Allow the butter to melt and, as it starts to foam and bubble, stir continuously for around 6-7 minutes or until it turns a dark golden colour. It will have a butterscotch-like aroma.
- Now make a roux by adding the flour to the butter and stir and cook for about 2 minutes. Then gradually add the strained rhubarb cooking liquid to the roux, stirring continuously until you have a smooth sauce.
- Add the crushed garlic and chives to the sauce and season to taste.
- Now add the reserved rhubarb mush to the sauce, along with the potato chunks. Remove from the heat and pour the contents into your ovenproof dish.
- Sprinkle with the topping and bake for about 10 minutes. Serve hot, on its own or perhaps alongside some pork sausages.
The Variations:
- I did tone down the rhubarb in this relative to the original recipe, but you can certainly try adding more rhubarb back in. You can also omit the breadcrumb topping if you like and instead just heat the final mixture through on the stovetop before serving.
The Results:
- Side-dish servings for about 6 people or more substantial servings for around 4.
I have to say I am intrigued by this recipe. I have loads growing outside but have notions of crumbles and pies or even jam or just with custard.
What an interesting recipe. Food for thought for sure.
Thanks!
Móna
Of course I wouldn’t be suggesting you abandon the pies, crumbles or jam, Móna (heaven forbid!), but this has me thinking about a whole host of other uses for rhubarb as well. Will definitely be trying some other savoury recipes in future.
This is just too interesting to pass up. I love seeing rhubarb used in savory dishes and with unexpected ingredients. Ours has passed for the season, but I will be bookmarking this for next year, or if I find some late at the Farmer’s Market!
I know exactly how you feel, Lori! We’re not quite at the end of rhubarb season here and I’m looking forward to trying it in other savoury dishes over the next few weeks.
I would definitely try this on a restaurant menu… whether I’d dare at home is another matter!!
I have done rhubarb in savoury dishes – I did it chinese style with minced pork in pancakes which was very successful.
So I guess what you’re saying Sarah is that I should open a restaurant :D Seriously, though, I am a definite convert to rhubarb in savoury dishes, glad to see I’m not alone.
I am truly intrigued and a little bit excited about this concept, but I have on major problem– a mushroom allergy. Do you feel the mushrooms are important to bringing the rhubarb and potatoes together or would possibly chicken broth, enriched with the rest of the flavorings, do it justice?
Hi CatBoy, the mushrooms do bring a good depth of flavour but I think you could certainly try using a chicken broth instead. Alternatively, try adding a small amount of a yeast-based flavouring, such as vegemite or marmite, instead of the mushrooms (assuming you’re not allergic to yeast of course). Do let me know how you get on if you try it.
Oh, DS–your encyclopedic knowledge of the spud gets more encyclopedic every day! This is an intriguing dish–I wouldn’t have looked twice at this, but I trust you. If you say it’s a winner, then it must be. I like the rec to pair w/pork or pork sausage. You are Very Smart. :)
Jenni, I am so reassured by your faith in me! And I guess for some (or perhaps many) this dish may require a little leap of faith (one which I naturally hope will be rewarded by the end result :) )
This is a bold and delightful combination, just the kind of unexpectedness that I love. GREG
Ah Greg, I recall how it was on these pages that your interest in rhubarb was first piqued. Happy to know that I can still inject a little bit of the (pleasantly) unexpected into your day :)
First time seeing rhubarb used this way. You’ve inspired a few to try that vegetable in a new way.
Hey there Duo, great to see you here – and even better if I’ve managed to inspire you to create yet more fantastic food :)
Wow! I just bought Kerrygold cheddar for the first time (it’s a long story why) and it is THE BEST cheddar I have ever had! So that took me to their site and saw your recipe for cookies which led me here. I can see Other blogs will just have to wait while I dance my way through yours! My husband and I are two rhubarb fiends. I have a bunch in the freezer. Do you think it would work with frozen? I am excited about trying as much as I can. We are growing tons of Yukon gold and red keeper potatoes this year, but some possums got into the golds and take a few bites and move onto the next one. Wasters!
Hi there (and apologies for taking so long to reply!) – thanks so much for your kind words and I hope you enjoy dancing your way through the site :) I think you could try this with frozen rhubarb – you’ll likely end up with more liquid from cooking the rhubarb, but I don’t think that’s a problem here.