Velvet

Lyonnaise Potatoes (Sautéed Potatoes and Caramelised Onions)

Inspired by techniques from Serious Eats and NYT Cooking.

Lyonnaise potatoes · French (Lyon)

Fried potato slices are tossed through deeply caramelised onions for a rich, bistro-style side from Lyon. The slow-cooked onions give the dish most of its flavour, so it's worth taking your time with them.

Prep15 min
Cook35 min
Total50 min
DifficultyEasy
Per serving312 kcal
FreeGluten-freeVegetarianNo added sugar
Servings4Recipe makes 4
Allergens (EU 14)
GlutenCrustaceansEggsFishPeanutsSoybeansMilkTree nutsCeleryMustardSesameSulphitesLupinMolluscs

Always check the labels of the products you use.

Method

  1. 1

    Par-cook the potatoes. Cover the potato rounds with cold water, add the salt and vinegar, bring to the boil and simmer for about 4 minutes until just barely tender. The vinegar firms the pectin in the potato slightly, which keeps the rounds whole rather than falling apart when they're fried.

  2. 2

    Drain and dry. Drain well and spread the rounds out on a towel to dry thoroughly. Any surface moisture left on the potato will stop it browning properly in the pan.

  3. 3

    Caramelise the onions. Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in the pan over medium heat and cook the onion with a pinch of salt for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and deep golden. Add a splash of water to lift the browned bits from the base of the pan, then tip the onions into a bowl.

  4. 4

    Fry the potatoes. Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in the same pan over medium-high heat and fry half the potato rounds in a single layer for 4-5 minutes per side until golden; repeat with the remaining ghee and potatoes. Ghee can take this higher heat without burning the way whole butter would, so the potatoes get properly crisp.

  5. 5

    Combine and serve. Return all the potatoes and onions to the pan, toss together for 1-2 minutes to heat through, then season with the pepper, scatter over the parsley and serve.

Storage

Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a hot frying pan over medium heat until piping hot and recrisped, as a microwave will leave them soft. Cool leftovers in a shallow container and refrigerate within 2 hours (within 1 hour on a day above 32°C).

Equipment

  • large pan for simmering
  • colander
  • large heavy frying pan (30 cm)
  • thin metal spatula
  • bowl

Nutrition per serving (estimated values)

Per servingAmount
Energy312 kcal
Protein4.9 g
Carbohydrate41.1 g
of which sugars4.3 g
of which free sugars0 g
Fat15.2 g
of which saturates9.4 g
Fibre5.4 g
Salt1.25 g

Protein per 100 kcal

1.6 g High Protein needs ≥ 10 g

Calculated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient values