Foodiva's Kitchen: French Fridays with Dorie - Matafan

Friday, December 2, 2011

French Fridays with Dorie - Matafan

So we contemplate each other, and we want each other, and I give it life and warmth, and it gives me my reason for living.
Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
I returned home from my foot massage session to this. Fluffy. Mashed potatoes. Pancakes. Don't these four words sound really good to you? Put them consecutively together in one sentence and you've got the perfect thing to start off or complement your meal, or simply to patch up those pesky hunger pangs. Matafan, that's what they're called in France and this is our French Fridays with Dorie recipe this week. 



You would make these savory pancakes not by way of a regular pancake batter. The potatoes need to be roasted with salt for just over an hour and passed through a sieve or potato ricer. I admit I did neither, instead I boiled little slices of potatoes and mashed them with my old-fashioned potato masher. In fact, preparing the matafan batter only took me a mere 20 minutes or so to do. The photoshoot session might have taken longer to orchestrate.... :).


As I bit into the first matafan, I was expecting a pancake-y texture but it wasn't like that at all. In fact, it tasted a lot like mashed potatoes contained within a pancake! Or perhaps more accurately, a mashed potato fritter. I made mine as blini-sized appetizers, topped with creme fraiche and basil-roasted chicken strips. According to my food-obsessed brain, they were totally delicious and matafan definitely needs to be on our regular rotation from now on.

I bet the other Doristas had their own revelations about matafan, and if you'd like to be in on what they are, have a look here.

Foot massage was great... but these fluffy potato pancakes were even better!

Have a fab weekend, everyone!

36 comments:

Cher Rockwell said...

What a sweet presentation :-) Your post made me smile.
I cheated and used flaked potatoes. It worked so well, I don't feel guilty at all.

Unknown said...

Cher, I cheated with the method... and no guilt here, either! Lol.

Mardi Michels said...

These were so good weren't they??? I didn't get to shoot them all fancy like you (no light, no time with the recipe being posted so late) but I enjoyed every last bite!

TinaRBK said...

Hmm-these look so much better than mine do. I am wondering what the trick is or what I am missing. I am on my way to your house to investigate and eat!

Suzi said...

Beautiful presentation and photos. I have never had that kind of look with mine. They actually look like pancakes. Lovely. Cheers!

Patty Price said...

Lovely potato pancakes but the foot massage sounds pretty good too!

Kiri W. said...

These look absolutely wonderful! I grew up in Germany and am used to grated potato pancakes, which aren't anything like your fluffy matafan. I'd love to try your dish :)

Tasty Trix said...

I can't believe there is much in this world that is better than a foot massage!! lol. Honestly these potato fluffs look a little too good ... I am trying to avoid carbs because we are going to New Orleans later this month and all I do when I'm there is EAT. So I skipped this one. I know I would eat them all myself, potatoes are such a weakness of mine, and yours look SO tempting.

ann low said...

Love these potatoes pancakes and very beautiful presentation too :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous presentation. I think yours are the first I have seen presented as hors d'oeuvres. Good to hear that they were tasty and even better to hear that there are quicker ways to make them.

Ei said...

As always, your food makes my food self conscious. haha. Your pancakes sound like they came out differently than mine. I never would have known there was potato in it if I hadn't put it there.

Adriana said...

Those little stacks look beautiful, Maya! I love your little trick - as long as one doesn't scrimp on the egg whites the pancakes will puff up beautifully.

Anonymous said...

I like your idea of spearing a few together with a toothpick. Certainly makes serving a little easier.

Kris' Kitchen said...

I must confess that I look forward to reading your blog...and I'm never disappointed. You go the extra mile to have beautiful presentations and great ideas. I agree...these are surprisingly good and I will make them again soon.

amanda @ fake ginger said...

LOVE your presentation! I wonder why the recipe calls for you to bake them so long. I really couldn't tell a difference between them and regular mashed potatoes that you would boil.

Frankly Entertaining said...

I'm blown away by how gorgeous your presentation is!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, I love the little appetizer towers you made! Beautiful presentation, Maya!

Kathy said...

Maya, As always one of the prettiest presentations! These were so tasty, we loved them. Have a great weekend!

laurcl said...

Maya, do you remember how much salt you used? Mine were bland, though they had a nice texture. I do think your's look so sophisticated, as usual! If anyone got these to taste great, it's you!

Jocie's Mom said...

I could use those in MY dinner rotation! Yummy! I could use a foot massage too...can I have both? ;)

Buzzed!

Trevor Sis Boom said...

Wow what perfect little jewels you have made out of these!

Anonymous said...

Foot massage and mashed potato pancakes in the same day! What a great day!
You're pancakes look absolutely gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Foot massage and mashed potato pancakes in the same day! What a great day!
You're pancakes look absolutely gorgeous!

Vicki Bensinger said...

Your presentation of this dish is stunning. I'm sure if Dorie sees it she will decide to make them and plate them your way. They're pretty and look yummy!

Robin said...

I thought these were great, but no comparison to a foot massage! Beautiful photos!

Elaine said...

Your photos are always so inspiring. Those stacks of potato pancakes are so pretty.

Anonymous said...

does everything taste better after a foot massage? I'd love to find out. :-). I was worried for a few minutes that the topping was some sort of anchovy, lol, but basil chicken sounds wonderful.

Gerry @Foodness Gracious said...

Maya, where have you been?? I have missed my fill of Diva in the kitchen, even if it is just your hands lol. These pancakes look amazing but foot massage, what the...
Take care..

Jenny (VintageSugarcube) said...

Potato Pancakes and a Foot Massage?? That equals Nirvana to me. The pics are gorgeous as ever. Muah darling. xoxo

Unknown said...

Lol, thank you all for your lovely comments here. You've all made me smile... In case you're still wondering, yes having a foot massage and fluffy pancakes on the same day DO really brighten up the day! Well, mine anyway. Anyone care to join me?

Linda Harding said...

Oh my goodness, I am SOLD! Mashed potato pancakes... can just imagine how delicious they are. I am definitely going to try and recreate these!

Reem | Simply Reem said...

Delicious recipe...
Beautiful post ...
And absolutely amazing presentation...
Gorgeous as always my dear.

Nancy said...

Potatoes and Pancakes, now that sounds like a perfect match. Your photo styling looks great! Glad to hear you also enjoyed your foot massage :)

Christy said...

Your photos are absolutely stunning! It makes me want to try this again tonight, except I need to get the foot massage first! Loved your post and adore the photos!

Unknown said...

The pancakes look great.

Kristy and Adam said...

Hi Maya! I have found you through Vicki Besinger's food blog. I had noticed some of your lovely comments and wanted to visit your blog! I love your gorgeous presentations, photography, recipew and your humor! Being a HUGE potato fan, this post certainly caught my eye! YUM. I look forward to checking in on your blog regularly and hope that you visit mine when you get the chance earthwalkersfpcp.blogspot.com where you will find global food home cooked and more :). Ps - I love foot massages too haha

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