Yukon Golds: Very Versatile Potatoes!

In doubt about the type of potato to use?

You almost can't go wrong with Yukon Golds., according to Bon Appetit magazine Contributing Editor Dede Wilson.

And, while you may know Idaho, Russert, and Red potatoes, Wilson says it would be well worth your while to get to know Yukon Golds!

On The Early Show Tuesday, Wilson explained the benefits of using this versatile veggie, and dished out recipes from the magazine for Potato-Wrapped Halibut, Lamb & Eggplant Shepherd's Pie, and Yukon Gold Cinnamon Rolls.

Bon Appetit's take on Yukon Golds:

They're impressively versatile, thanks to a medium starch content that's higher than that of new potatoes and lower than that of russets. Yukons are hefty enough to make killer mashed potatoes. They get tender, but don't fall apart, when sliced and baked in a gratin. They hold their shape diced and simmered in soup, or cut into chunks and tossed into potato salad.

Yukon Golds are medium-size potatoes with light-brown skin and an interior that tastes as buttery as it looks. The Yukon Gold was first bred in Canada in 1966. It's a cross between a yellow-fleshed Peruvian hybrid and a white-fleshed variety from North Dakota.

When buying them, look for firm potatoes with no wrinkling or soft spots. Avoid any with a greenish tinge -- a sign that the potatoes have been exposed to too much light and have developed a natural toxin called solanine (low levels can cause indigestion; high levels can be dangerous).

If stored in a cool, dark, dry place in an open paper bag, Yukon Golds will keep for a couple of weeks. Don't store potatoes in the fridge or in plastic.

Potatoes have gotten a bad rap in the last few years for their high glycemic index, which can cause a spike and dip in blood sugar. But eaten in moderation, they're a good source of vitamins B6 and C, as well as potassium and fiber. Eating them may lead to better sleep, and lower the risk of heart disease. Many of the nutrients in potatoes are in or near the skin, a good argument for buying organic and enjoying them, skins and all!

RECIPES:

Potato-Wrapped Halibut with Sautéed Spinach

Wrapping the halibut with thin-cut potatoes adds crunch.

INGREDIENTS:
Six 4-ounce halibut fillets (each about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick)
Four 3-inch-long unpeeled Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed
8 tablespoons olive oil, divided
6 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced
10 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves (about 16 cups loosely packed)

METHOD:
Pat fish dry; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place large sheet of parchment on work surface. Halve each potato lengthwise. Using V-slicer or mandoline, slice each potato half very thinly. Set 5 to 6 slices on parchment in row, overlapping long sides. Make another row that overlaps short ends of first row, forming 6x5-inch rectangle. Sprinkle rectangle with salt and pepper. Set 1 fillet across overlapped short ends of slices. Fold sides of rectangle over fish, forming packet. Press to adhere. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Repeat with remaining potato slices and fish fillets.
Heat 3 tablespoons oil in each of 2 large skillets over medium-high heat. Set 3 wrapped fish fillets, seam side down, in each skillet. Cook until golden on bottom, about 3 minutes. Turn; cook until fish is opaque in center, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Transfer to plates; cover to keep warm.
Add 2 tablespoons oil to 1 skillet. Add garlic; stir 1 minute. Add 1/3 of spinach; toss with tongs until spinach begins to wilt. Add remaining spinach in 2 additions; stir just until beginning to wilt. Season with salt and pepper. Divide spinach among plates with fish and serve.

For more recipes, go to Page 2.

Lamb and Eggplant Shepherd's Pie

This Greek-inspired shepherd's pie is made with lamb, eggplant, and oregano. The mashed potato topping gets its Greek flavor from kasseri cheese, a hard, salty cheese. If you can't find kasseri cheese, use Pecorino Romano instead. Finish the dish with a sprinkling of chopped fresh oregano, if desired.

INGREDIENTS:
Filling:
One 1-1/2-pound eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 3/4 - to 1-inch cubes
Coarse kosher salt
7 tablespoons (or more) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 pounds well-trimmed boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
All purpose flour
3 cups chopped onions
1 cup dry white wine
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
3 cups beef broth (preferably organic)
8 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon dried oregano

Topping:
2-1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup whole milk
1-1/4¼ cups (packed) coarsely grated kasseri cheese* (5 to 6 ounces)

*A firm white cheese made from sheep's milk; available at many supermarkets and at Greek markets and some Italian markets.

METHOD:
Filling
Scatter eggplant on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt; let stand 1 hour, tossing occasionally. Rinse eggplant and pat very dry.
Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add eggplant and sauté until tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl.
Sprinkle lamb generously with coarse salt and pepper, then dust with flour to coat. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add half of lamb. Sauté until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer lamb to large bowl. Repeat with 2 tablespoons oil and remaining lamb.
Add 1 additional tablespoon oil to same pot, if needed. Add onions. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until very tender, about 10 minutes (bottom of pot will be very dark). Add wine to pot. Increase heat and boil until wine evaporates, scraping up browned bits, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with juice, broth, garlic, and oregano and bring to boil. Add lamb with any accumulated juices. Cover; reduce heat to low and simmer 1 hour. Uncover and continue to simmer until lamb is very tender and gravy thickens slightly, about 45 minutes. Stir in eggplant. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Cool slightly. Cover and chill.

Topping
Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 14 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt butter with oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add milk and bring to simmer.
Drain potatoes. Return to pot. Stir over medium heat until excess moisture evaporates. Add milk mixture and mash potatoes until just smooth. Stir in cheese. Season with coarse salt and pepper. Drop potatoes over filling by heaping tablespoonfuls, covering completely.
Bake pie until filling is heated through and topping is golden, about 45 minutes.

Yukon Gold Cinnamon Rolls

INGREDIENTS:
Dough
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3 large eggs
4 1/2 cups (or more) unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)
3 1/4-ounce envelopes active dry yeast (scant 2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons sugar

Filling
1 1/3 cups (packed) golden brown sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons unbleached all purpose flour
9 tablespoons (1 stick plus 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, room temperature

Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons (or more) whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Preparation

METHOD:
Dough
Combine potatoes, 2 cups water, and 1 tablespoon coarse salt in large saucepan. Boil until potatoes are very tender, 15 to 18 minutes. Mash potatoes with water in pan (do not drain water). Add butter and mash until butter is melted. Whisk in eggs, then 1 cup flour; mash until very smooth. Let potatoes stand until barely lukewarm, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, pour ½ cup warm water into large bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment; stir in yeast and sugar. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add potato mixture to yeast mixture; mix on low speed until well blended, 2 minutes. Mix in 3 cups flour, 1 cup at a time, beating well. Beat until sticky dough forms.
Spread ½ cup flour on work surface. Scrape dough out onto floured work surface. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic, adding more flour by tablespoonfuls if dough is very sticky, about 8 minutes.
Coat large bowl with butter. Transfer dough to bowl and turn to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, then kitchen towel. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Filling
Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in medium bowl. Using fork, mix in butter.
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 425°F. Line large rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Turn dough out onto well-floured work surface. Roll out dough to 24x16-inch rectangle. Sprinkle filling evenly over dough. Starting at 1 long side, roll up dough jelly-roll style, enclosing filling. Using large knife dipped in flour, cut roll crosswise into 12 pieces. Transfer rolls to baking sheet, spacing rolls about 3/4 inch apart. Cover baking sheet loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm draft-free area until almost doubled in volume, about 20 minutes (rolls will be very puffy).
Bake cinnamon rolls until golden, about 20 minutes. Cool rolls 10 minutes on baking sheet.

Glaze
Whisk powdered sugar, melted butter, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla, and coarse salt in small bowl. If glaze is too thick to spread, add more milk by 1/2 teaspoonfuls as needed. Spread glaze over warm rolls.