A galette is traditionally a flat cake made of flaky pastry dough or a savory tart. A potato galette is a classic French variation of this tradition – made by layering thin slices of potato, butter and herbs in a sauté pan to create a delectable “cake.” The galette’s crispy bottom contrasts with the soft middle, making it taste irresistibly decadent. Potato galettes contain significant calories and fat so you should eat them in moderation.
Calories, Carbohydrates and Protein
A galette made with 3/4 pound of potatoes, 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil serves two people. One serving contains 239 calories and 31 grams of carbohydrates. The cake also has about 2 grams of fiber per serving – which is only about 6 percent of the recommended 25 to 38 grams needed daily for most adults. The serving also provides 3 grams of protein. The protein in the galette is incomplete, meaning it does not contain all the essential amino acids your body cannot produce on its own.
Fat
Although potatoes contain very little fat, butter and oil do. As a result, one serving of the galette provides 13 grams of fat. Of this fat, 5 grams are saturated – the type that the American Heart Association recommends you limit to protect your heart health. You should aim for less than 7 percent of your total calories daily to come from saturated fats – for a 2,000-calorie diet, this amounts to just 15 grams per day.
Vitamins and Minerals
The white potatoes in a galette actually supply significant nutrients. One serving provides about 30 percent of the daily value for vitamin C and 25 percent of vitamin B-6, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. It also offers small amounts of vitamins A, E and K and the B vitamins riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid. The galette contains only 20 milligrams of calcium and 1.3 milligrams of iron, but it does provide 38.8 milligrams of magnesium and 97.4 milligrams of phosphorus. With 709 milligrams of potassium, potato galette is high in this mineral that helps you maintain proper fluid and electrolyte levels.
Alternatives
For a healthier version, eat smaller portions and use olive oil in lieu of the butter and vegetable oil. Use 1 pound of potatoes and 4 teaspoons of olive oil to serve four people for a cake with 124 calories per serving. Each serving still has 4 grams of fat, none of which is saturated, however. Each serving of this healthier approach to a potato galette has fewer carbohydrates -- 20 grams – as well.
References
- Epicurious: Crusty Potato Galette
- Eating Well: Potato Galette
- USDA Nutrient Database
- Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin C
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B6
- Drugs.com: Potassium Content of Foods
- American Heart Association: Know Your Fats
- Epicurious Food Dictionary: Galette
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