Dirty Potatoes with Kalamata Olives

I was melancholy to see the weekend go and felt dread when Monday rode in on its galloping horse named disappointment. That’s an indication to the kind of weekend we had; it was such a divine one.

We picked up a new printer/scanner/fax machine and now I have to learn how to use it. Greg and I stopped by the Taste of Northfield on Friday evening for some Indian food and ice cream. Then, we ventured towards Carleton College, down the street from our apartment, which had a reunion weekend. The campus was busy with tents galore. We assumed that others assumed we were students and merrily strolled around campus. It’s lovely.

There was a graduation party that went on into early morning Sunday. We camped in the host’s backyard with friends. I got to know more of the people that Greg works with-his work family. I won’t go into the conversation…especially the conversation after midnight. There was a bonfire, dancing, jokes, stories about coworkers’ younger years and good food. Sure, we didn’t know the young woman who had graduated but my husband knows her dad who might have told Greg how much he loves him and his honesty after a few drinks. I heard many kind words about my husband from this great group of people. The host has a nice family and some great land by the state park, secluded woodland with trails and enough space for outdoor projects along with a beautiful home.

The berry farm, where we were to pick strawberries, was not picking or allowing others to pick Saturday with all of the storms producing muddy paths the day before. We might try again next weekend with a few friends.

How was your Father’s Day weekend? Sunday, my dad came home from the hospital after his gallbladder surgery. My mom got him a cake to celebrate his special day. I learned that he will have to take medical leave for 6 to 8 weeks from work. I’m still trying to figure out what he will do with himself-no driving, he can’t lift anything over 5 lbs. and he has to watch his diet to see what he can tolerate. I recommended that he cook and catch up on some reading. I wonder how long it will take before he drives my mom crazy.

I declared my love of small potatoes weeks ago on the dabble and in life at least 25 years ago, out of my 27 years on this earth, when I discovered French fries. While flipping through my copy of Food & Wine a few months back, I saw Mehmet Gurs recipe for dirty potatoes. The chef calls these dirty because they are coated in kalamata olives (“dirt”) after they finish roasting. I’ve also written about my adoration of olives. Now you see why I couldn’t pass this side up, right? Don’t pass on this if you too love these ingredients.

Dirty Potatoes adapted from Mehmet Gur’s recipe
Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients:
2 lbs. small new potatoes, scrubbed and halve large ones (or any small potato)
2 tbsp olive oil
salt/pepper
1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives

Preheat the oven to 400F. Toss the potatoes with the olive oil and a few dashes of salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 45minutes to an hour. They should be crisp and tender.

In a food processor, puree the olives or finely chop the olives and set aside. When the potatoes come out of the oven, coat with the olives. Serve warm or at room temperature.