This past weekend I spent with my Dad’s side of the family – a boisterous, loving and close knit “Irish Clan”. The occasion was to say good bye to my Uncle – the patriarch of this large family (9 children, 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and more nieces and nephews than I can count) and although there were tears there was much laughter… and music. On my Dad’s side, music is a tradition – no party or gathering is complete without Irish music, supplied either by the stereo or, more often than not, by my cousins- and this event was no different. Between an Irish band and my cousins there was no shortage of music, singing and dancing (and to be honest a wee bit of pocheen 
!) and I know my Uncle was singing along with us with a huge smile on his face – happy and proud of the large and loving family that was the center of his life.
On the trip home my thoughts were filled with my family and our traditions – and since this is a food blog, it of course turned to food!! . Growing up, “Sunday Roast” was a tradition in my family. From the time I was born until I left for college, every Sunday was spent with my Mom’ s family and for dinner (with very few exceptions) we had “Sunday Roast” – a beef roast, roasted potatoes and a vegetable – sometimes carrots, sometimes green beans and sometimes (gulp!) mashed rutabaga (I’ll give you two guesses to figure out which one WAS NOT on my favorites list!!)
After returning home, I found a package waiting for me – the fine folks at Freida’s Produce had sent me a sample of potatoes from The Little Potato Company!! Well, that decided it – the “Sunday Roast” was on the menu!! I decide to update the roast potato portion of the menu a bit and the “Baby Boomers “ potatoes they sent were perfect for roasting – no cleaning or peeling needed! I just tossed them in a little olive oil, salt and pepper and put them in oven and they came out beautifully - firm and creamy – just the way I like them! Combined with a little bacon, pearl onions (also from Frieda’s!!) sherry vinegar and fresh thyme these roasted potatoes with bacon, pearl onions and sherry vinegar were the perfect accompaniment to the roast.
Interested in the roast? No worries, I will be sharing this with you all soon!
Ingredients
- 11/2 lbs. Baby Boomer potatoes (or Yukon gold potatoes cut into 1 inch pieces)
- 4 oz. thick cut bacon, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
- 1 1/2 cups white pearl onions
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 Tbsp. fresh thyme, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 Tbsp. sherry wine vinegar
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Pre heat the oven to 400 degrees, Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil.
- Place pearl onions in the boiling water and boil for 2 - 3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cool water. When onions are cool enough to touch, remove outer skins of onions. Cut off root and stem ends.
- Set aside. Spray a large, rimmed sheet pan with non stick spray.
- Place potatoes on sheet pan and drizzle with 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Put sheet pan into the oven.
- Set timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes add the pearl onions. Return sheet pan to the oven and cook for another 20 - 30 minutes or until potatoes are easily pierced with a knife and onions are tender.
- While potatoes and onions are cooking, cook bacon in a large saute pan until browned and crisp.
- Remove bacon from the pan. Set aside.When the potatoes and onions are done, remove from the oven.
- Re heat the bacon drippings over medium high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and saute for 4 minutes or until the shallots are soft. Add the sherry wine vinegar - reduce heat to medium and add the potatoes and onions and the remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Stir until potatoes and onions are coated with vinegar/oil dressing. Stir in the remaining bacon and the thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Was literally just looking for something to do with all this fresh thyme in the house! Trying this out tonight.
I hope you enjoy it!! Thanks for stopping by the Table!
Your uncle sounds like a fine man. I’m sure he enjoyed the gathering as well. Nothing like great music and food to draw a family close.
Your dish is inspiring. I look forward to trying it as soon as the weather gets cold!
He was a great man Robyn – I always joked that anyone who walked through his door became family – truth of the matter is, I wasn’t really joking, it was true!
I can’t wait for cooler weather – so many dishes I can’t wait to make!
Great post Nancy! You can get these delicious potatoes at any Ralph’s grocery store! Can’t find them? Ask your produce manager and they will help you!
Thanks Alex! Will be “bugging” my produce guy again!!!
it certainly is that time of year, Nancy! Roasted potatoes and the smell that comes along with that is something I am so looking forward to as Fall approaches! xx
Me too, Susan! I cannot wait.
That makes two of us Susan!! I say this every year – I can’t wait for fall foods!!!
I love how homey and rustic this looks. I bet it smells and tastes amazing too!
Thanks Allison – it definitely smelled and tasted great!!!
Sorry to hear about your loss but glad you could celebrate the life of your uncle
This is perfect fall food!
Thanks Marla – it was good to see my family !! I agree – I just can’t wait for all the fall food!!
I’m so sorry for your loss. These were certainly a wonderful gift on your doorstep and they look so wonderful. I especially like the small skillet… I would want a small skillet full of my own
Thanks Georgia! Love how battered this skillet is – wish I could hear the stories it could tell!! – I had a hard time NOT eating all the potatoes… they were tasty!!!
I am so sorry for your loss but love your family and the way the celebrated his life!
These pictures are beautiful Nancy!
Thanks Kristen! It definitely was a great party and my Uncle would have loved it!!!
Nancy, I love the feel of this post – made me warm and probably like your Uncle, you made me feel like family, too. Food wise; anything potato and I’m in and these made me really hungry!
Aww… thanks Cathy!! I definitely knew I needed to do potatoes … and I am with you… I have NEVER met a potato dish that I did not love.. and I’ve got the hips to prove it!!!
I love the sound of these; it’s starting to get cooler here each day and this dish (and your beautiful photos) seem just about right. So does celebrating your uncle’s life.
Thanks Barb!! We are still in that “it’s cold/it’s warm” stage – had a couple of cooler (for us) days so I took full advantage!!
These photos are gorgeous Nancy, I love the way the light hits the potatoes and makes them glisten.
Thank you Sylvie!! Your photography series definitely helped me and studying your images always inspires me!!!
gorgeous photo, those potatoes look so perfectly crispy… i have a thing for sherry- nice.
Thanks Louise!!! These little potatoes are terrific – and I am with you – love sherry wine vinegar!!
Beautiful post, Nancy! And those potatoes look addictive…
Yes, yes, yes! I am going to make these as soon as I return (I can try making them here in Serbia, but there are no pearl onions around). Sweet, salty, bacony – what’s not to love?
I love hearing about your family (both sides). We Serbs are a lot similar to Irish, so I feel a sense of kinship with you:)
Hi Lana!!
And I feel the same way Lana… on all counts!! We definitely need to get together when you come back.. I truly hope all is well with you and your Mom! You’ve definitely been in my thoughts and prayers!!