Q. Do you have any potato suggestions for pub food or pub grub to serve my customers? Right now for happy hour they can choose from a special but limited menu and we serve popcorn snack mix at the bar.
A. One unexpected treat I had at a hopping place in Miami Beach was a baked potato salad (Burger & Beer Joint in Miami Beach, FL). This palate-pleasing salad won first prize at the 2011 South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s Idaho® Potato Side Dish Challenge, which took place during Rachael Ray’s Burger Bash. The chef also made roasted potato wedges.
Baked Idaho® Potato Salad
And, we once ran a contest for Happy Hour; here is a link to several of the recipes that were selected as the best: http://foodservice.idahopotato.com/happyhour
However, this was one of my favorites as you can use any size fresh Idaho potato, skin on or removed, as something unique for your bar food, since it is cut into squares for “pop in your mouth potatoes”. Typically the potato portion runs about a quarter or less.
Parmesan Fried Idaho® Potatoes
And for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations try some of these recipes:
Idaho® Potato Cheesy Ale & Cheddar Colcannon
Irish Colcannon with Spring Onions and Leeks
Or, add a stew made with potatoes to your menu. These can be prepared ahead of time and portioned out to reheat or kept warm:
Irish Stew
Lamb Stew with Pesto & Arugula
A good old authentic version of Bangers and Mash makes me hungry too:
Bangers and Skin-On Mashed Potatoes
For the last recipe suggestion, Shepherd’s Pie with Mashed Potatoes on top:
Idaho® Potato Shepherd's Pie
