Have you watched any soap operas lately? This Academy Award nominated film has all of the ingredients of a modern soap opera, but takes place in 18th century England. Keira Knightly, who plays Georgiana Spencer, is married off by her family to a rich and powerful Duke. He’s really just looking for a trophy wife to bear him a son. She fails to give him a son, becomes frustrated with her husband’s infidelity, and finds herself falling for a politician. This is definitely the “All My Children” of pre-Victorian life.
I haven’t seen the movie, so I’ll refrain from any further endorsement of it. I will, however, endorse this amazing potato recipe. I don’t eat a lot of potatoes anymore so when I do it’s like eating dessert. Every time my mom makes this recipe, people rave about it. For her mystery dinner party this weekend, The Duchess will surely have the vote of the people.
Twice Baked Cheese Souffle Potatoes
4 large potatoes — scrubbed
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup Havarti cheese — grated
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup cream
1 egg — separate out yolks
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste
CARMALIZED SHALLOTS
1 1/2 cups shallots
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon parsley — chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Rub 1 teaspoon of olive oil into your hands then rub on potatoes. Bake 400 degrees for 1 hour until fork tender. Cool.
Cut off thin slices from both ends of potatoes and discard. Cut potatoes crosswise and scoop out potatoes leaving 1/4 inch shell to form a cup.
Place potatoes in a greased 9 X 13 dish.
Mix potatoes, cheese, sour cream, egg and cream with fork until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Whisk egg white until soft peaks form. Gently fold into potato mixture.
Place mixture in potato shell creating a slight well in the top to hold shallots. (May be made 1 day ahead – cover and chill).
Thinly slice shallots and saute in butter until opaque. Add brown sugar and cook until caramelized. Spoon on top of potatoes and sprinkle parsley over shallots. Bake 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
