Effortless Holiday Feasts: Crafting Perfect Hasselback Potatoes and Croissant Stuffing with JENNIE-O®
The holiday season is a cherished time, especially for reconnecting with loved ones. For many, it’s a precious opportunity to gather family, slow down, and truly catch up amidst our increasingly busy lives. There’s nothing quite like the warmth of shared meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas, creating lasting memories around a table laden with delicious, home-cooked food. My kids, like many, have grown up and are pursuing their own paths, making these holiday gatherings even more significant. Naturally, I want to maximize every moment with them, enjoying their company rather than being confined to the kitchen.
This post is sponsored by Jennie-O, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
My goal for holiday meals is always to deliver that comforting, traditional flavor my family expects, but without the overwhelming stress of hours spent on food preparation. This year, I discovered a brilliant solution that allowed me to achieve just that: the JENNIE-O® OVEN READY™ Cajun Style Whole Turkey. This incredible product truly streamlines the cooking process, transforming what used to be a daunting task into a simple, enjoyable experience. Forget about thawing, basting, or even worrying about seasoning – this turkey cooks right in the bag! You simply place it in the oven and wait for the temperature gauge to pop up, or confirm with an inserted meat thermometer that it reads 165°F. It’s a game-changer for anyone who wants to enjoy more of the holidays and less of the kitchen chaos.
While the turkey was cooking to perfection, knowing it would need 15-20 minutes to rest after coming out of the oven, I seized the opportunity to prepare two of my kids’ absolute favorite side dishes: classic Hasselback potatoes and a unique, delectable croissant stuffing. The beauty of this timing is that these sides can be prepped in advance and then baked to crispy, golden perfection while the turkey is resting, ensuring everything is hot and ready to serve at the same time. This strategic approach to meal planning truly elevates the holiday dining experience.
An unexpected and delightful outcome of this easy cooking method was realizing its potential for a new generation of holiday hosts. My children, now in their early twenties, are not yet married and don’t have kids. The thought of cooking a traditional, massive turkey for Thanksgiving can feel quite daunting for them. However, the JENNIE-O® Oven Ready turkey is perfectly sized for a smaller gathering, making it an ideal choice for them to host a “Friendsgiving” with their peers! We even spent some time browsing the holidays & events section of the Jennie-O website, gathering even more fantastic ideas for their future gatherings.
The Art of Hasselback Potatoes: A Crispy, Flavorful Side Dish
Hasselback potatoes are a show-stopping side dish that looks incredibly impressive but is surprisingly simple to make. Their distinctive “accordion” appearance isn’t just for aesthetics; it allows butter, oil, and seasonings to seep into every crevice, creating beautifully crispy edges and a tender, flavorful interior. This recipe, a family favorite, delivers big on taste with minimal effort, making it ideal for busy holiday meals or any special occasion where you want to impress without the stress.
For an optimal cooking experience, these Hasselback potatoes should be prepared roughly half an hour before your turkey is scheduled to be fully cooked. This timing is perfect because they can then bake while the turkey rests, ensuring both components of your meal are hot and fresh when it’s time to serve. And as a bonus, while the potatoes are in the oven, you can quickly prepare a rich, savory gravy using the convenient packet that comes with the JENNIE-O® turkey and some of those delicious turkey drippings.
Ingredients to Make Hasselback Potatoes
- 6 russet potatoes
- 2 Tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup butter, unsalted preferred
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
- 1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated (optional garnish)
This simple Hasselback potato recipe is a study in perfection, combining savory garlic, aromatic thyme, rich butter, and olive oil to create an irresistible side. While I believe this specific combination is truly divine, feel free to customize your garnishes or even swap out the thyme for another complementary herb, such as rosemary, to match your other side dishes. However, for a timeless classic, stick with this recipe – it’s guaranteed to be a hit!
How to Make Hasselback Potatoes: Step-by-Step Guide
- Preheat your oven to a hot 450°F (230°C). This high temperature is key to achieving those coveted crispy edges.
- Thoroughly scrub your russet potatoes. Since the skin will be left on for this recipe, ensuring they are clean is important. The skin adds both flavor and a desirable rustic texture to the finished dish.
- Achieving the signature “accordion effect” is easier than you think! Place two chopsticks (or two wooden spoons/pencils) on either side of a potato, parallel to each other. This clever trick acts as a stopper, preventing your knife from cutting all the way through the potato.
- Using a sharp chef’s knife, carefully make deep cuts into the potato every 1/4 inch (about 0.6 cm), stopping when your blade touches the chopsticks. This creates the beautiful fan-like appearance and allows the flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Repeat this cutting process for all six potatoes. Once sliced, arrange the potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup of butter and 1/4 cup of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and fresh thyme sprigs. Allow the mixture to gently heat through, infusing the oil and butter with their aromatic flavors.
- Using a pastry brush, generously brush the warm butter-oil mixture over each potato. Make sure to get into as many of those delicate cuts as possible. This is where the magic happens, ensuring every slice becomes wonderfully crispy and flavorful.
- Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 30-45 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size of your potatoes. They are ready when they are beautifully golden brown, incredibly crispy on the outside, and fork-tender on the inside.
- While the potatoes are baking, melt the remaining 1/4 cup of butter and 1/4 cup of olive oil in the saucepan, again with fresh minced garlic and thyme for an extra flavor boost.
- Once the potatoes are out of the oven, brush this second batch of melted butter-oil mixture over the now crispy potatoes. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. For an extra touch of elegance and flavor, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley just before serving. These Hasselback potatoes are truly a feast for the eyes and the palate!
Beyond the Bird: Delightful Croissant Stuffing
While the Hasselback potatoes are a fantastic savory treat, no holiday meal is complete without a flavorful stuffing. This croissant stuffing recipe offers a delightful twist on the traditional, providing a light, airy, and wonderfully crunchy texture, thanks to the flaky layers of butter-rich croissants. It’s a stuffing that truly stands out, absorbing all the delicious flavors of the holiday feast, especially when made with savory turkey drippings.
Ingredients to Make Croissant Stuffing
- 4 large croissants, preferably a day old for better texture
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup reserved turkey drippings from your JENNIE-O® OVEN READY™ Turkey
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How to Make Croissant Stuffing: Easy Steps for a Flavorful Side
- In a large frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped celery and onion, and sauté them for about 3-5 minutes, or until softened and fragrant. This step builds the aromatic base for your stuffing.
- While the vegetables are cooking, dice the croissants into bite-sized pieces. The slightly stale croissants work best as they absorb the liquids without becoming mushy.
- Once the celery and onions are soft, remove the pan from the heat and add the diced croissants. Toss gently to combine the vegetables and bread pieces.
- Season the mixture generously with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to distribute the seasonings evenly, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the broth and the rich turkey drippings. This liquid mixture is essential for moistening the stuffing and adding incredible depth of flavor. Pour this over the croissant and vegetable mixture, tossing gently until everything is evenly moistened.
- Transfer the prepared stuffing into a baking dish. Bake it alongside your Hasselback potatoes for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and delightfully crispy. The result is a stuffing that’s crunchy on the outside and wonderfully moist within, a perfect accompaniment to your holiday turkey.
The Perfect Finish: Rich Homemade Gravy
While your Hasselback potatoes and croissant stuffing are baking to perfection in the oven, it’s the ideal time to complete your holiday meal with a luscious, homemade gravy. The JENNIE-O® OVEN READY™ Turkey makes this step incredibly easy. Simply collect 1 1/4 cups of those flavorful turkey drippings that accumulated during cooking, and use them to prepare the gravy packet that is conveniently included with your turkey. These drippings add an unparalleled depth of flavor that store-bought gravies simply cannot replicate.
For those who prefer a thicker gravy, you can easily achieve the desired consistency by whisking in 1 Tablespoon of flour or cornstarch into a small amount of cold water to create a slurry, then gradually adding it to the simmering gravy while whisking continuously. This ensures a smooth, lump-free, and perfectly rich gravy that will beautifully complement your turkey, potatoes, and stuffing, tying the entire holiday meal together.
Create Memorable Holiday Moments, Stress-Free
There’s an undeniable magic to having family home for the holidays, a time that feels increasingly precious. This year, being able to celebrate together with a truly delicious, homemade holiday meal, complete with perfectly roasted turkey, crispy Hasselback potatoes, and unique croissant stuffing, all without the usual food-prep related stress, was an incredible experience. The simplicity and quality offered by products like JENNIE-O® OVEN READY™ Turkey allowed me to focus on what truly matters: making memories and enjoying the company of my loved ones.
What are your family’s favorite holiday recipes? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below! For more inspiration and fantastic meal ideas, be sure to check out the Jennie-O collection of Holiday favorites. They offer a wealth of recipes and tips to make your celebrations even more special and stress-free.
A Giveaway!
Simply leave a comment on this post to enter to win 1 of 4 Jennie-O coupons, each valued at $5 off Jennie-O products. U.S. only. (Please note: This giveaway ended on Thanksgiving night at midnight, November 24, 2016.)
For a visual guide, check out the video below for a step-by-step demonstration of how to make these delicious Hasselback potatoes!
Hasselback Potatoes
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 6 russet potatoes
- 2 Tablespoons garlic minced
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 sprigs thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parsley optional garnish
- ½ cup fresh Parmesan cheese optional garnish
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 450F
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Scrub your potatoes well since you will be leaving the skin on for this recipe.
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Position two chopsticks on either side of your potato – this helps you avoid cutting through the potato, creating that “accordion effect.”
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Using a sharp knife, place deep cuts in the potato every 1/4″ stopping when your blade hits the chopsticks.
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Repeat for all potatoes and then place the potatoes on a lined cookie sheet.
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Melt 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup olive oil in a saucepan with the minced garlic and thyme.
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Brush the melted oil-butter over the potatoes, ensuring you get in as many of those cuts as possible.
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Bake the potatoes for 30-45 minutes, until golden and crispy.
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Melt the remaining butter and olive oil with the garlic and thyme.
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Brush the melted butter-oil mixture on top of the crispy potatoes. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with Parmesan and parsley.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.