Jacques Pepin's Potatoes Fondantes

Experience the ultimate comfort food with Jacques Pépin's Potatoes Fondantes, a luxurious dish that transforms humble Yukon Gold potatoes into a golden, buttery masterpiece. These potatoes are gently caramelized in a sizzling pan of butter, then slow-simmered in savory chicken stock with fragrant garlic and fresh thyme. The result? A tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior encased in a perfectly crisp crust, bursting with layers of rich, herbaceous flavor. Perfect as a sophisticated side dish for dinners or holiday feasts, this recipe is as simple to prepare as it is elegant. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and an added touch of freshness. With just a handful of ingredients and 40 minutes of cook time, Potatoes Fondantes effortlessly elevate any meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 whole Yukon Gold potatoes
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 cup Chicken stock
• 2 whole Garlic cloves
• 2 sprigs Fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnishing)

Directions

Step 1

Peel the Yukon Gold potatoes and cut them into uniform, medium-sized chunks or rounds, about 2 inches thick.

Step 2

In a heavy-bottomed skillet or sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the unsalted butter over medium heat until it melts and begins to foam.

Step 3

Add the potato chunks to the pan, placing them cut-side down to ensure a golden crust. Cook for 5-7 minutes without moving them, allowing the surface to brown and caramelize.

Step 4

Flip the potatoes gently to brown the other cut side. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, chicken stock, peeled whole garlic cloves, fresh thyme sprigs, salt, and black pepper to the skillet.

Step 6

Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the potatoes simmer gently for 20-25 minutes. The liquid will reduce, and the potatoes will become tender and infuse with the delicious broth flavors.

Step 7

Check occasionally to ensure the liquid hasn’t dried out completely. If needed, add a splash of water or more chicken stock to maintain some moisture.

Step 8

Once the potatoes are fork-tender, remove the skillet from heat. Discard the thyme sprigs and garlic cloves if desired.

Step 9

Transfer the potatoes to a serving dish, spooning over any remaining pan sauce for extra flavor.

Step 10

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top as a garnish, if using. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1019.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	951.1

Total Fat 52.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 145.3mg	0%
Sodium 2535.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 108.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.7g	0%
Total Sugars 5.1g
Protein 26.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 138.2mg	0%
Iron 6.6mg	0%
Potassium 2543.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.6%

Protein: 10.3%

Carbs: 43.1%