In honor of National Potato Day, August 19, Chef Pemi Kanavos and Tanya Stamoulis graciously shared with The National Herald a traditional Greek recipe featuring potatoes – Biftekia me Patates (Greek-Style Beef Patties with Roasted Potatoes) – from their book, ‘Cooking Greek: A Classic Greek Cookbook for the At-Home Chef’.

This classic Greek comfort dish reinvents meat and potatoes with a generous infusion of fresh herbs, Greek olive oil, and vibrant lemon. The beef patties are cooked atop luscious potatoes that soak in every bit of flavor, resulting in a delightful culinary balance. This dish is a staple in Greek households and can be found in most taverns and restaurants throughout Greece.

“This recipe from our Cooking Greek cookbook is my personal favorite. It’s hearty, delicious and the flavor of the potatoes is out of this world,” said Tanya Stamoulis co-author of ‘Cooking Greek’ and Food Editor at WorldwideGreeks.com.

The 200-page cookbook includes 70 Greek recipes for all levels of at-home chefs and is available online: https://shorturl.at/76QAw.

More information is also available on the Worldwide Greeks Food Forum: https://shorturl.at/shqJm.

Biftekia me Patates – Greek-Style Beef Patties with Roasted Potatoes

Makes: 4-6

Ingredients

For the potatoes:

5-6 potatoes, peeled

1/3 cup Greek extra virgin olive oil

Juice of 2 lemons

1 tablespoon mustard

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

2 tablespoons dried oregano

1 1/2 vegetable bouillon cubes

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/3 cup water

For the biftekia:

5 slices bread, crust removed

1/2 cup milk

2 pounds ground beef

1 onion

1 clove of garlic

1/3 cup Greek extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tablespoons oregano

1/4 bunch parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut the potatoes into wedges and add them to a large roasting pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, oregano, bouillon cube, salt and pepper.
• Pour half the marinade over the potatoes and mix until combined. Set aside. Soak the bread in milk for five minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, place the onion, garlic, olive oil, oregano, parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Squeeze the bread to remove most of the milk and then add it to the food  processor. Process for about 1 minute. If it is too dry add 1 tablespoon of water at a time. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the beef.

• Combine gently by hand until all the ingredients are completely combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least half an hour.
• Shape 10 burger patties and place them over the potatoes. Pour the remaining marinade over the patties. Add the water to the pan.
• Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 25-30 minutes, until nicely golden brown, and the potatoes are cooked through.

Note: Serve with Greek Horiatiki salad and oregano.