SALT-BAKED POTATOES WITH ROASTED GARLIC AND ROSEMARY BUTTER

SALT-BAKED POTATOES WITH ROASTED GARLIC AND ROSEMARY BUTTER image

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

21/2 cups plus 1/8 teaspoon salt
4 russet potatoes, scrubbed and dried
2 sprigs plus 1/4 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
1 whole head garlic, outer papery skin removed and top quarter of head cut off and discarded
4 teaspoons olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Steps:

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Spread 2Vi cups salt in even layer in 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Gendy nestle pota¬ toes in salt, broad side down, leaving space between potatoes. Add rosemary sprigs and garlic, cut side up, to baking dish. Cover baking dish with foil and crimp edges to righdy seal. Bake VA hours; remove pan from oven. Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees. 2. Carefully remove foil from baking dish. Remove garlic and set aside to cool. Brush exposed portion of each potato with 1 teaspoon oil. Return uncovered baking dish to oven and bake until pota-toes are tender when pierced with tip of paring knife and skins are glossy, 15 to 20 minutes. 3.Meanwhile, once garlic is cool enough to £ handle, squeeze root end until cloves slip out of their H skins. Using fork, mash garlic, butter, Vfe teaspoon % kosher salt (or pinch table salt) and minced rosemary £ to smooth paste. Remove any clumped salt from £ potatoes (holding with kitchen towel if necessary), o split lengthwise, top with portion of butter, and & serve immediately.