Crispy baked potatoes are stacked with goat cheese and chives for a fun side dish!
Sometimes I think of this site as my own adult diary. I was pretty horrible at keeping one in the “omg, I kissed a boy!” years of middle school and literally have years missing between entries. Although, my bible from ccd (catholic school classes for those of you who weren’t subjected to that torture) apparently served as a makeshift one given the amount of “I love Will”’s scrawled all over it. Sorry Jesus, boys were way more interesting than your supposed miracles to a 12 year old girl at the time.
So if this is the adult version of the ccd bible, this week’s entry would go something like this:
Dear Diary,
F&^k October 2. Today my job was “eliminated” from a company I’ve worked for for over 9 years, in a 10 minute meeting by my boss of 2 months, not the owner/CEO who I’ve worked closely with for 9 years. Not based on performance, but because of organizational changes. No warning, no explanation and no other opportunities provided. The company email announced the promotions of my colleagues with a 2 sentence blurb about my termination at the bottom. 2 sentences. That’s apparently what you’re worth after 9 years. Not even 2 months ago I was called a “vital” part of the organization and today, I’m unemployed. Crazy shit, huh?
Thankfully, this comes at a really good time (if there’s a good time to lose your job) and below that layer of bitterness that’s still lingering, there’s actually excitement. A lot of it. I have no idea what comes next. I do know I get to spend a lot more time in my kitchen, a lot more time doing the stuff I love and not feeling like my “passions” (let it be known I really hate that word because I feel like Gen Y-ers have overused it to death) only get the few spare minutes of attention I can afford here and there while I hamster wheel my way through life. Screw that, life’s too short.
It’s funny really that I had these potato stacks to share today because the day I made them I was frantically rushing to get them made and photographed in the 35 minutes I had between conference calls at lunch. I had goat cheese everywhere, chives all over my dining room rug and while I was photographing in haste, Ginger was jumping up onto the stove and grabbing the extra 2 slices of potatoes off the baking sheet. I won’t miss that.
I’m sure there will be plenty of rushed recipes, messes and half dog eaten food in the future, but at least it won’t be because of a job I resent.
Now, let’s enjoy some crispy potatoes sandwiched with goat cheese. Because how can that not heal the losing your job blues?
Goat Cheese and Chive Potato Stacks
Ingredients
- 1 large russet potato, sliced lengthwise into about 1/4 inch slices
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- salt & pepper
- dash dried herbs of choice, I used Herbs de Provence
- 2 ounces goat cheese
- fresh chives, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Spread the potato slices out in a single alyer on the baking sheet.
- Drizzle with half the olive oil, season with the salt & pepper and herbs.
- Flip the slices over and season the other side.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, flipping half way through. Edges should be crispy and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and assemble the stacks by placing dollops of the goat cheese in between each slice and gently pressing down.
- Place the stacks back on the baking sheet and broil for 1-2 minutes to crisp the potatoes and melt the cheese.
- Remove from oven, garnish with the fresh chives and serve warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
So sorry to hear about your ‘news’ and I agree with everyone else – hang in there and something better is bound to come out of this.
As a totally unrelated item, I laughed about Ginger jumping on the counter to grab food – because we have a weimie too and he is so terrible about counter-surfing if given any opportunity! It drives me crazy but my husband says that the breed is notorious for it so I should get over it.
The potato stacks look awesome.
A blessing in disguise… along with these potato stacks. ;) I’m excited for you and excited to see what you make of your new found freedom even if it wasn’t on your terms.
That is such a huge bummer about the job! I am sorry to hear that :( But, there is a reason for everything! Never the less, these potato stacks look amazing. Potatoes + Cheese = always good. Especially goat cheese!
A year ago this week I was fired for the first time in my life after only working at an organization for 2 months. I was beyond devistated and had no idea how to get over the hump of humiliation. I completely understand you pain. However, had I not been forced out of a job I was miserable in I would have never been available to find my current job which I love. It is easy for everyone to say “stick with it and something will come through,” but having been in this situation I really can tell you something better will come along. In the mean time, YUM to your potato stacks :) Can’t wait to make them!
So sorry about your job. :( I love your wonderful blog, though! Beautiful pictures and delicious recipes! Obviously you’ve got a future with this, if not a job like you had before. Love these potato stacks too! :)
Gina, I feel your pain! I do believe something better is coming your way (or our ways, lol). Meantime, let’s enjoy this delicious potato stacks. Yum!!
Oh man thats rough! I just quit my job when we moved and I have no idea what I want to do next. Hopefully you will love your next job!
I am so sorry about the job situation but I like how you are taking a positive note to it – I am glad you have this beautiful potatoes for the company. Wishing you luck for whatever career path takes you dear.
Gina – I had a similar work experience earlier this year, after 12 and a half years. I’ll be making these potatoes next available dinner activity and will think about the victory of the spirit these represent!!! Plus I love goat cheese – it is one of my desert island foods. Thanks!! and hang in there –
We rarely eat potatoes in our house. But your fried potato strips are one of our new obsessions and I can totally see these stacks getting made tonight to go with our steaks. They look soooo good!