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Patates lemonates

Patátes lemonátes: Greek lemon-oregano roast potatoes, crisp at the edges and soft inside

These are the potatoes that come out of Peloponnese bakers' ovens alongside Sunday roasts, and that every Greek grandmother has a firm opinion on. Wedges roast in a bath of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and oregano; the liquid soaks into the potatoes, then evaporates, leaving them sticky, golden and tangy, with fluffy middles. Serve with roast chicken or lamb, or with feta, a salad and bread for a meatless lunch. Common mistake: crowding the tin, so the potatoes steam instead of browning. Chef's tip: add a final squeeze of fresh lemon as they come out of the oven; the cooked juice loses its brightness.
Total time
90 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
4
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Ingredients

Serves4

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What you'll need

Fresh ingredients (3)

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Method

0/6 done
  1. Step 1: Heat the oven to 400°F (350°F fan).

  2. Step 2: Whisk ¼ cup olive oil with most of 2 lemons juice, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp Dijon mustard if using, 1 ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper.

  3. Step 3: Toss 2 ⅝ lb potatoes in the mixture in a large roasting tin, spread them in one layer and pour 1 cup hot water or vegetable stock around them; the liquid should come a third of the way up.

  4. Step 4: Roast for 45 minutes, turning once, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

    45 min
  5. Step 5: Turn the potatoes again and roast 20–30 minutes more, until the liquid has gone and the edges are crisp and deep golden. Add a splash of water if they catch before they're tender.

    30 min
  6. Step 6: Squeeze over the reserved lemon wedge and serve hot.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
340 kcal
Protein
5 g
Carbs
45 g
Fat
16 g
Fibre
5 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does patates lemonates take?
About 90 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 75 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
What can I use instead of potatoes?
Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
What can I use instead of lemons?
Lime, or 2 tbsp bottled lemon juice per lemon (no zest from bottled juice).

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