Rattes du Touquet Recipes - AFTouch-Cuisine
Welcome to the delightful world of Rattes du Touquet, those small, round and meaty potatoes that are the pride of the coastal lands of Pas-de-Calais. If you thought you knew potatoes, prepare yourself for a pleasant surprise! These tubers have nothing to do with the bland standards you encounter far too often. No, Rattes du Touquet possess a distinctive character: firm flesh, a slightly sweet taste and a creamy texture that delight the most demanding palates.
The history of this variety dates back to the 1970s, when local farmers decided to grow a potato truly worthy of the name. The result? A small marvel of around 150 grams, with impeccable pedigree, proudly bearing the AOC label since 2006. That's how seriously it takes its role! And unlike many commercial varieties, the Ratte du Touquet refuses to be intimidated in the kitchen. It keeps its shape, maintains its structure and absolutely refuses to become bland mush.
What makes this potato truly special is its remarkable versatility. Whether prepared simply in a pan or incorporated into more elaborate recipes, it retains its gustatory integrity. Dubarry understood this well when tasting our Pan-Seared Wolffish Fillets, where the Ratte du Touquet plays a leading role: as he confides to us, this is a recipe "simple, flavourful," the kind that Chef Patrick would have improvised to impress an accomplished cook. And that's precisely the secret: these potatoes don't ask to be weighed down with unnecessary embellishments.
You will discover here how to transform these little treasures into truly memorable dishes. Our Salad of Rattes and Fresh Truffles allows the Ratte du Touquet to shine in the sun, while the Pumpkin Cream in the Lotois Style demonstrates how this potato can be the perfect partner to other vegetables of the terroir. For lovers of richer flavours, the Pan of Fattened Duck Hearts offers a gourmet pairing where the Ratte du Touquet absorbs the precious juices without ever losing its own qualities.
Even in our Soup of the Hortillonnages, a humble recipe if ever there was one, the Ratte du Touquet refuses anonymity. It brings a delicate natural creaminess, a body that enriches the broth without requiring cream or other embellishments. This is the very signature of an excellent potato: it serves the dish while remaining itself.
For several generations, the growers of Touquet have preserved this variety as one cherishes a family heirloom. By choosing it for your recipes, you're not simply making a culinary purchase, you're supporting reasoned and sustainable agriculture. And honestly, once you taste the difference, you never return to ordinary potatoes. It's a flavourful adventure that begins today.
