Herbed Potatoes a la Two Fat Ladies, and the ever elusive, Time!

There are 2 kinds of people in this world:
Those of you who are always prepared, had your homework done before you played and are always early for appointments.
And those of us who put on make-up, make meeting notes and talk on the phone whilst speeding done the motorway, late, yet again.

I am not the one in my seat 15 minutes before the curtain raises; I'm the one running down the street screaming for the doorman to wait and let me in.

I have, many times in the distant past, dropped my car off at valet parking at the airport (no time to park) and raced down the concourse waving and yelling to keep the doors open.  (Wouldn't dare, now!).  I actually even got a plane to turn around and come back to the gate for me once (small airport).

It's not that I'm unaware of time.  I'm very, very aware.  My mental conversations go something like this:
Let's see: 5 minutes to dry my hair... I can shave 30 seconds off that, damp is okay;   
6 minutes to shower...no one needs that long, snap to it, 3 tops;
4 minutes to curl my hair.... I can easily do that in 3, skip the bottom;
3 1/2 minutes for makeup - that' easy, do it in the car at stoplights - hate it when they're all green;
5 minutes to get dressed... stuck with that one,  unless I wear the sweater instead of the blouse...no buttons - 10 seconds saved;
2 minutes for breakfast - skip the juice, grab a handful of raisins.

I have now saved 9 minutes and 40 seconds.... What to do with all this time?  I could sleep later (popular choice in my youth), I could read 4 more blogs (popular choice, now) I could clean the kitchen (never popular).

The one thing that never, ever occurs to me is to be early. 

My first 'adult' job had the unreasonable starting time of 7:00 in the morning.  We were a sales office; none of our clients started that early.  We sat around and drank coffee for an hour; unless the boss was watching, in which case we did paperwork.  I just couldn't do it.  Every morning, after my usual late start, I spent the 45 minutes of my commute working on excuses:  Stalled train across the road?  Nope, used that last week.  Overslept?  Never a good choice.  Accident?  Too easy to verify.  Family emergency phone call?  Yeah, that might work...

My boss finally came up with the brilliant (or so he thought) idea of fining whoever was late $1.00.
We actually thought it was rather brilliant, too.  The next morning all of us perpetual late-comers waltzed in, independently, about 8:00, handed the boss a dollar and sat down.  It was so worth it!

He relented and changed the starting time to 7:30.  So, instead of arriving at 7:05 every morning I got there at 7:35... I just can't help it!

I keep telling myself I excel under pressure.

Two of my favorite cooks were never in a hurry and always relaxed in whatever kitchen they had appropriated: Jennifer and Clarissa, the Two Fat Ladies.  They were eating locally and seasonally before it became popular.  They also totally ignored such bothersome things as calories and carbs.   They had a wonderful time cooking all sorts of marvelous foods; they way it should be.

For Weekend Herb Blogging, started by Kalyn of Kalyn's Kitchen and hosted right here, chez moi,  I decided to do the 'herb-iest' dish I know, a recipe I adapted from the Two Fat Ladies.

It has no cream, milk or cheese in it; nothing to mask the taste of the fresh herbs and garlic.  This time of year, with my herbs at or just past their peak and the weather conducive to cooking in the oven, these potatoes are perfect.   The Worlds' Healthiest Food site lists 130 items for healthy eating - and everything in this recipe is included!  That means it's got to be really good for us, right? 
Not to be a food snob, but if you don't have fresh herbs, don't bother making this; it just wouldn't work!  But you can use any herbs and combinations that you like - as long as you use lots!

Potatoes a la Two Fat Ladies with fresh herbs

4 - 6 potatoes, depending on size, (24 oz, 750gr)
3 tbs chopped fresh parsley
3 tbs chopped fresh basil
2 tbs chopped fresh oregano or rosemary
2 tbs chopped fresh thyme
4 cloves garlic
2 - 3 tbs olive oil, the good stuff
1/3 cup chicken stock

With a sharp knife thinly slice the potatoes.  Put slices in a large bowl of cool water and set aside.  Finely chop garlic and mix together with chopped herbs.  Remove potatoes from water, lay out on kitchen (paper) towels and pat dry.  Drizzle a bit of the oil in a baking dish, just large enough to hold ingredients.  Make a layer of potatoes, sprinkle with a bit of the herb/garlic mixture and drizzle with a little oil.  Repeat 4 more times.  Pour the stock over all, cover with foil and bake at 400F (200C) for 30 minutes.  Remove foil and continue baking another 30 minutes.  The top potatoes should start to brown and get crisp.  Remove from oven and serve.

Come on back on Monday for the round-up.  There's lots of really good stuff being sent my way...

Comments

[Coffee & Vanilla]

Katie,

It looks delicious and very interesting title as well :)

Greetings, Margot

[Kalyn]

Well rather amazingly, I have completely changed from being the second type, always a bit late and not quite ready, to being firmly in the first camp. Now it drives me crazy if I get sidetracked and am even a little bit late. Some of it I think is due to the fact that I'm SO busy ALL the time that I can't waste even a minute. Even before I was blogging, in my previous job as teacher's union president, every minute had 3 or 4 tasks scheduled, so maybe that's why I learned to be hyper efficient, don't know.

This does sound like a dish where fresh herbs would take it from good to really outstanding. It sounds delicious. I did love to watch the Two Fat Ladies on TV as they roared off on the motorcycle.

I have been amazed at the fabulous entries I've seen. Looking forward to the recap.

[Riana]

You read my mind, I was just thinking of the Two Fat Ladies the other day. How funny! Ok, I have to go write a veggie or herb post pronto for you!!! a bientôt

[Chris]

I remember watching episodes of the 2 Fat ladies years ago! Those were some goooood recipes! This one looks fabulous!

I must say....I am my mother's daughter...just like her when it comes to time. I am ALWAYS early. In fact, I always try to be late because of this. It can get pretty aggrevating, believe it or not. I am not a fan of always being the first to places...so I sit in my car, walk around, drive a little slower (that's a hard one for me).

[Lydia]

Hah -- I'm completely the opposite type, always on time or early, genetically incapable of being late. My husband, on the other hand, is a last-minute kind of guy -- we joke that soon, in order to get the same flight, I will have to leave for the airport a day early to be in my comfort zone, and he'll leave the house with 10 minutes to spare! I loved the Two Fat Ladies; I watched all of their shows many times. Never made any of their recipes, because most are so unhealthy. But this one is an exception, and I have all of the herbs in my garden!

[Anna]

i hear you katie! i'm not a morning person and getting to work on time is a real problem.
my current job is perfect for me. my direct manager is based in another country but better still, all my work is with europe so i can get some beauty sleep, waltz in at 10:30am and then then stick around until 6:30pm so i can talk to europe.
when i move to a new job i'm going to be so sad.

[Pam]

What a great recipe to use up some of my fresh herbs. I have to use them now, or start thinking about drying them. I hate to admit it, but I am the first type...always early. I get to work almost 45 minutes before I have to, just to sit and drink my coffee in quiet!

[sher]

Oh, that looks wonderful! I sure miss the Fat Ladies. And I always save valuable time by walking around with damp hair!

[mamapasta]

hello from deux sèvres, here we have got the " quart d'heure charentais " so people use to be a quater an hour late everywhere....Try this !
I will try your recipe with the local pommes de terre de l'ile de Ré .

[Lannae]

Yes, I miss the 2 fat ladies on TV. Everything they made looked tasty, and of course non-lo-fat!

[Jeni]

Like everyone else here, I loved the Two Fat Ladies and miss them! This potato dish looks fantastically tasty. It's on the "must make soon" list. Merci!

[Nora]

Katie, I love reading your blog. Not just for the recipes, but for the stories. You are so funny!

I can always use a new potato recipe because we eat so much of it, so this will come in handy. Thanks!

[Anh]

Katie, *laugh*. I must say I am the first type of person. I like everything to be laid out for work and other stuff....

And bring on the potatoes! They are absolutely delicious!

[arfi]

It looks delicious. We always love potatoes and we grow our own potatoes. I'm looking forward to view the round-up. I am too late to enter, I think.

[Simona]

There is a funny Italian expression that I use in reference to a dear friend of mine, who always manages to be late, even when she started on time: giocare con le formiche (to play with ants). The idea is that when she finds herself with some extra time, she starts 'playing with ants' and then becomes late.
Anyway, I loved the post and the recipe, which I can make, since I do have a whole bunch of fresh herbs and a batch of new potatoes in the cupboard. I am sorry I did not make it for this week WHB: it was a bit crazy around here.

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

But this doesn't look like the 2 Fat Ladies style, seems fairly low fat! Looks and sounds divine.
Time. Oh my yes I have trouble with time but I understand my problem. If I think it takes 5 minutes, it really takes 10. Translate into . . . late!!

[Katie]

Thanks Margot, the fresh herbs really make it special!

Kalyn, I'm always trying to do too many things at once...apparently I'm a slow learner ;-)

Riana, they used to be on the telly once in awhile... thanks for the post

Chris, I've convinced my self that it's bad form to be early...yes it is...

Oh, Lydia...mon mari is the 'always early' one. I guess marriages need one of each to balance - and get anywhere ever!

Anna, people who are cheerful in the morning should be beaten with a wet noodle. I come into my own around midnight!

Pam, try freezing them - it's quicker and easier...

Sher, some of us know how to save time...

Mamapasta, that's JUST what I need, thanks!

Lannae, yeah, they were sooo good at the no-fat thing...

Jeni, it's worth a try...

Thanks, Nora, that's so sweet!

Anh - I'd LIKE to be that way, but...

Arfi, I should try to grow potatoes, sometime... I love the little tender new ones...

Simona, that's me...give me a minute and I'll fill it for 5

Tanna, yes, you understand me, someone, at last understands me...

[Ruth]

Great post - I, on the other hand like to be early. I used to be better at it ;-D

As for the potatoes...awesome. Very similar to the potato sweet potato galette I'll be making on friday. I usually just use rosemary, but now I'm going to add the garlic, thyme and who knows...

Thanks so much for sharing.

[gilli]

Hi Katie Ohhhh the Two Fabulous Fat Ladies. This potato recipe is a bit of a rogue for them...no butter or cream.
Our Food Channel just played a doco on Jennifer Patterson. It was great. I just loved those ladies. The humour...the intelligence...the stories. A sad loss.