braise small potatoes

How to Make Braised Baby Potatoes: A Complete Guide

Braised baby potatoes, a beloved comfort dish, are prized for their crispy-yet-tender texture and savory, slightly sweet sauce. Here’s a simple, foolproof recipe to recreate this favorite at home.

Ingredients: 500g baby potatoes (washed and halved if large), 3 tbsp cooking oil, 2 sliced garlic, 1 tbsp ginger (minced), 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp five-spice powder (optional), 1 cup water, chopped green onions and cilantro for garnish.

Steps:

1. Prepare potatoes: Parboil halved potatoes in salted water for 5 minutes until slightly softened. Drain and pat dry.

2. Sear: Heat oil in a wok over medium-high. Add potatoes and fry until golden brown and crispy on all sides (about 8 minutes). Remove and set aside.

3. Sauté aromatics: In the same wok, sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant. Stir in soy sauces, sugar, and five-spice powder.

4. Simmer: Return potatoes to the wok. Pour in water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10–15 minutes, until tender and sauce thickens.

5. Finish: Uncover and increase heat to glaze the potatoes. Garnish with green onions and cilantro.

Serve hot as a side dish or with steamed rice. The key is parboiling for even cooking and searing for a crispy exterior—ensuring each potato soaks up the rich, umami-rich sauce!