Fast and Frugal: Roasted Potatoes with Tomatoes, Artichokes and Thyme

It seems appropriate to do something with potatoes for St. Patrick's Day, seeing how it was the potato famine that drove my Irish ancestors out of counties Carlow, Cork and Wexford across the Atlantic to New York, and eventually Wisconsin.



It should come as no surprise that my latest version of roasted potatoes has a decidedly south of France flavor, however.  I wanted to shop my cupboard as much as possible this month, having just forked over property taxes and bought a new washer and dryer. Besides, I like the challenge of making something from whatever I have on hand.

Fortunately, I had a good deal on hand, including grape tomatoes, a jar of artichokes and some fresh thyme.

Roasted Potatoes with Tomatoes and Artichokes (serves 4-6)

• 4-6 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cubed
• 24 grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 jar of 6-12 ounce jar of marinated artichokes, cut into smaller pieces, if necessary
• 1 large red cipollini onion, or two medium, peeled and chopped
• 2 small garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• generous handful of fresh thyme - about 1/8-1/4 cup
• 1/2 cup black or Greek olives, sliced
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• sea salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400.

Prepare potatoes, tomatoes, artichokes, garlic and onions. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with about half the thyme leaves and all of the onion salt. Arrange in shallow baking dish and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes. When potatoes begin to turn brown, add olives and the remainder of the thyme and roast for another 10-15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

You can up the amount of servings by added more potatoes. I used three, which yielded three servings. Potatoes should dominate the dish. If you add more potatoes, add more thyme and seasonings, too. This is especially good with fresh potatoes. 

I'd serve this with chicken, or a fish that has been prepared with tomatoes.

For those of you with a more traditional palate, here are 34 scrumptious Irish dishes for tonight's meal.