Grilled Potatoes with Garlic

I used to have a house on an acre of land in the country, not far from where I live now. We used to have a pot bellied grill that my Father-in-law built from scratch. It was just like the new ones you pay a thousand dollars or more now.

This was one of the special side dishes that I would make alongside burgers, steaks, or whatever we were grilling. There is just no substitute for that special grilled flavor. I'm talking, not gas or butane, but wood, coal, burning old fashion backyard grill with smoke stack and all!

Now, if you love roasted garlic put a few extra cloves on the grill!

Recipe

• 1 1/2 lbs small red new potatoes, scrubbed
• 4 large cloves of garlic, unpeeled
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 2 tsp dijon-style mustard
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 green onions,thinly sliced

Cooking Instructions

Prepare grill or preheat oven to a very hot 450 degrees. Make a tray with heavy duty foil by folding it over for double strength and folding up sides. Then oil the inside of the tray.

(If you're doing it in the oven)

Cut potatoes into pieces no larger than 1 1/2 inches. Combine potatoes, garlic cloves, oil and salt in a medium sized bowl; mix until potatoes are well coated. Use a spoon to transfer the potato mixture into the oiled tray, keeping potatoes in a single layer. Top with rosemary sprigs.

(If you're using the grill)

Grill potatoes 5 inches above medium hot coals, covered with a dome, you can make one with foil; 25-30 minutes or until tender and crispy browned.

To Roast

Roast potatoes in preheated very hot 450 degrees stirring every now and then for 30–40 minutes or until tender and browned.

Meanwhile

Whisk together vinegar, mustard, a pinch of salt, and pepper in a medium sized bowl. Slowly whisk in about a tablespoon of oil. Discard the rosemary stems from your roasting tray. Squeeze grilled garlic cloves from their skins into the dressing in the bowl. Add the potatoes and green onions to the dressing and coat. Serve this warm!

*This really works well on camping trips as long as you have a campfire grate at least six inches from the fire when it has reduced to burning embers.

Just a Note

You do not have to make the dressing, in fact, it doesn't go over very well with kids! But, even without the dressing it's still a big hit because who can turn down roasted garlic potatoes, They are so good. Comfort food, whether you're just barbecuing or camping or having a dinner party!

Chardonnay

Now, if you desire, a nice white chardonnay would go along way to pair with your meal and these garlic roasted potatoes. It's crisp, light, and cleansing with each bite and sip your lips encounter. A stunning meal to say the least. This celebration of flavor only enhanced by whatever delicious dessert you are serving will surely have everyone talking about your dinner or camping trip for weeks!

Many a summer days were spent near the wood burning grill after this good cook out surrounded by my children roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. Sometimes they would even roast hot dogs if they were still hungry. At any rate, they were happy family memories.