Butter Smashed Potatoes

Yummy buttery crispy smashed potatoes. Excellent side dish, based on the recipe by Australian food writer Jill Dupleix.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  lb small red potatoes (about 20 golf ball sized potatoes) or 1  lb  gold potato (about 20 golf ball sized potatoes)
• 1⁄3 cup  melted butter
• 3 -4  tablespoons kosher salt, divided
• 1 -2  tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
• 6  slices  cooked bacon (optional)
• 1⁄2 cup  shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450* F.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, with 2 tbsp salt. Add potatoes, and boil until quite tender, but not falling apart.
3. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Once potatoes are soft, place on baking sheets, leaving ample space between them.
4. Use a flat bottomed glass to smash each potato to 1/4" thickness.
5. Melt butter, and drizzle or brush over potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, until crispy. Meanwhile, fry the bacon and shred the cheese. Dice the bacon.
7. After the potatoes are out of the oven, sprinkle with the bacon and cheese.