Duchess potatoes facts for kids
 |
|
| Place of origin | France |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Mashed potatoes, eggs |
Duchess potatoes (which in French are called pommes de terre duchesse) are a special kind of mashed potato dish. They are made from smooth mashed potatoes mixed with egg yolk and butter. This mix is then pushed through a piping bag or shaped by hand. The shapes are then baked in a hot oven until they turn golden brown.
People usually season them like regular mashed potatoes. This means adding things like salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Duchess potatoes are a very famous dish in French cuisine. You can find recipes for them in old French cookbooks.
Contents
History of Duchess Potatoes
First Recipes and Creative Shapes
The very first known recipe for duchess potatoes appeared in a cookbook. It was called La Nouvelle Cuisinière Bourgeoise and was published in 1746. After this, the phrase à la duchesse became popular in French cooking. It was used for any dish that included a mix of mashed potato and egg yolk.
Recipes for duchess potatoes also started appearing in American cookbooks. This happened as early as 1878. A famous cookbook author named Fannie Farmer wrote about them in 1896. She said you could make many creative shapes. You could use a pastry bag to create baskets, pyramids, crowns, leaves, or even roses. Then, you would brush them with egg wash and bake them until they were golden. In 1903, the well-known French chef Auguste Escoffier also described duchess potatoes in his important cookbook, Le Guide Culinaire.
Duchess Potatoes During Important Times
During the Great Depression, which was a tough economic time, the U.S. government worked with farmers. They wanted to find better ways to grow potatoes. The U.S. Bureau of Home Economics even told people to try less common potato dishes, like duchess potatoes.
Later, World War II caused food shortages in the U.S. It was hard to find butter, meat, and canned foods. In 1943, the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, shared some meal plans from the White House. One dinner included meatloaf and duchess potatoes. This shows how popular and versatile the dish was.
In 1949, the New York Times newspaper suggested duchess potatoes. They said it was an elegant but affordable side dish for roast chicken or fish. It was a good alternative to more expensive beef.
Duchess Potatoes at Famous Dinners
Duchess potatoes have even been served at important events with world leaders!
In September 1959, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower met with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. This meeting happened at Camp David. The dinner included prime rib and baked red snapper. Duchess potatoes were one of the side dishes served.
In April 1962, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was the Shah of Iran, visited Washington, D.C. He hosted a special dinner for President John F. Kennedy. The main course was pheasant, and duchess potatoes were also part of the meal.
In June 1966, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia visited Washington, D.C. President Lyndon B. Johnson hosted a state dinner at the White House for him. The menu included filet of sole almondine, roast sirloin, and duchess potatoes. This shows that duchess potatoes have been a favorite at many important and fancy dinners throughout history.
See also
In Spanish: Papas duquesas para niños
