Buttery Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Peoples. This stuff is really good.

I'm not just saying that because I'm a foodie and I know what I'm talking about AND it's my recipe and my recipes are fantastic recipes but because THIS is one of the best ways to eat potatoes. I've used all kinds; the ones in the photo are a mix of baby butterballs/fingerlings with a few purple ones. If you roast it just right the they'll be soft and buttery, with even more smooth, creamy, butter, garlic and cheese all tossed in.

It's pretty easy to make too. Fancy dishes aren't always hard, but cooking does take practice. This one has plenty of room for customization with different cheeses, potatoes, and herbs. If you have fresh rosemary or basil, mince some of that up and use it. Have a really fantastic aged cheese that cooks well? Use it!

Just don't replace the butter. Butter is good.

Buttery Garlic Roasted Potatoes

10 Yukon gold potatoes*

1-2 heads garlic

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt & pepper

1 teaspoon dried dill

2 teaspoons dried parsley

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 stalk green/spring onion, chopped (optional)

1/2 - 1 cup mozzarella or aged cheddar cheese

3 tablespoons parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees ºF.

Cube potatoes into little chunky cubes. Cut the tops off the garlic heads to reveal top of each clove.

Place potatoes into a bowl and drizzle with about 2 tablespoons olive oil and salt & pepper. Toss to coat. Spread on a large baking sheet.

Coat the garlic in the leftover olive oil, being sure to rub them chopped side down. Place face up on baking sheet with potatoes and bake for about 45 minutes, flipping half way through baking time.

Combine dill, parsley, butter olive oil and onion.  When potatoes are finished baking and the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze all the cloves out and add to butter mixture. Smash the cloves slightly to combine.

Place potatoes into a serving bowl and toss with the butter mixture and cheese to combine.

*Other potatoes can be used here. Yukon golds are small so adjust quantity as needed depending on size.

Fragment

A goodbye was said

Many nights ago.

But it was more than just that

It was a sentence left open,

A word unspoken,

A thought pushed away

To stop the finality.

But it caused the unexpected,

The sentence still hasn’t stopped.

And that night was relived

For all the nights, and a day. 

Caring For Your Skin: Masks

For part 2 in this series, go here.

What's a Facial Mask? 

It's those things that people either buy or make and then plaster on to their face, making them look like all kinds of strange and weird. The good ones are really good for you and help in improving the general health and look of your skin. 

They come in all kinds of forms. Exfoliating, soothing, lotion types, colorful types, clay, natural, packaged with ingredient lists two miles long, and so on. I highly recommend making your own. It's easy, cheap, and most of all, you control the ingredients so it can be healthy.

Why You Should Give it a Try

Chances are if you're female above the age of 12 you've already tried some kind of facial mask. Masks are great for many reasons: they can moisturize, even out pH balance, fight acne, clean, help with dry or over oily spots, exfoliate and get rid of dead skin cells, and give your skin a healthy, bright glow. 

They can also be very relaxing after a long day. Once you've got it on you have to leave it on for at least 10 minutes anyway, so sit somewhere and read, watch a film, or do something else calm and relaxing that you enjoy (that won't interfere with the stuff on your face). 

Do It Yourself 

I always recommend making your own facials. I still see no point in buying them, as the cheap ones are horrific as far as content and the good ones will cost you your house, car and dog before you know it. Plus, there are literally thousands of fantastic homemade facials out there. Do your research, know your skin type and the problem you want to treat, and find a recipe to try. Here are some of my favorites: 

Egg Facial

Wait. Don't run just yet (sissies)! This facial is great for all skin types, but especially oily. It's moisturizing, brightening, soothing, repairing, tightening, and very healthy for your skin. Be sure to use fresh, organic, high quality eggs.

Yogurt & Honey

Also good for all skin types, but especially dry (yogurt is super moisturizing) this one is soothing, moisturizing and good for acne prone skin. Use only real honey; preferably raw.

1 tablespoons plain yogurt

1 teaspoon honey

Mix together and leave on face for 10-30 minutes. Wash off with warm water.

Coffee & Cocoa

via

There are lots of different versions of the coffee mask out there. This one is exfoliating, firming and moisturizing. I never measure when it make it; make just enough to use. Don't be wasteful. Did you know that coffee is commonly used in anti-aging products? 

Oh, and try not to use this at night if you're sensitive to caffeine. Skin absorbs whatever you put on it, so yes, you'll be getting a dose of caffeine.

2 tablespoons coffee grounds (used or fresh)

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1 teaspoon olive or melted coconut oil

2 teaspoons milk, yogurt or cream, as needed

Mix all ingredients together except dairy. Add dairy until a thick, but spreadable consistency is reached.  Spread onto face and leave on for 10-30 minutes. Wash off in warm water using gentle circular motions to exfoliate. 

Whenever you do a mask treatment, use a moisturizer afterwards if you see the need for it, as well as common sense and avoid your eyes. 

And that concludes my 3 part series on basic skin care! (Go to the Tasty Bites & DIYs page to see the others). But I haven't even given you my favorite mask recipe yet. You'll have to watch and wait for that one.

Will you be trying any of these recipes? Which one and why?