Savory Mashed Root Vegetables Recipes

JAMIE OLIVER'S MASHED ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• *NOTE: swedes are known in US as rutabagas. I've also used yams/sweet potatoes, turnips and fingerlings in this recipe. ~fyi~.
• Feel free to use any single vegetable or a mixture of your favorites. Cookgirl says that a mixture of root vegetables is the way to go!
• Peel the root vegetables then chop up into golf-ball sized pieces, place in salted boiling water and cook until very tender.
• Drain in a colander.
• Place the vegetables back in the pan and mash with a potato masher.
• You can mash them as smooth or as chunky as you like. Season with salt and pepper, then enrich the flavor with extra virgin oil or butter, or both, to taste. (I prefer using both olive oil and butter.).
• Jamie continues to say: once cooked, the mashed vegetables can be kept warm in a bowl covered with kitchen foil over simmering water. This is handy when cooking for a dinner party -- (especially when timing is of utmost importance.).

MASHED ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Cook first 4 ingredients in large pot of boiling salted water until almost tender, about 20 minutes. Add potatoes and continue cooking until all vegetables are very tender, about 15 minutes longer. Drain. Discard bay leaf. Return vegetables to same pot. Stir over medium heat to allow excess water to evaporate, about 2 minutes. Add butter; mash until vegetables are almost smooth. Mix in 1 tablespoon parsley. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm over low heat, stirring often.) Transfer vegetables to bowl. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.

SMASHED ROOT VEGETABLES AND CARAMELIZED LEEKS

Steps:

• Place potatoes, turnips, and parsnips in a large pot; cover with 2 inches cold water. Season water generously with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, and vigorously simmer until root vegetables are very tender and breaking apart, about 30 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leeks, and cook until golden, about 15 minutes. Add root vegetables, and stir to dry out, about 2 minutes. Add milk and cream, and stir to break up vegetables. Heat until hot; season with salt and pepper.

ROOT VEGETABLE MASH

Steps:

• Boil vegetables in a medium pot until tender. Drain liquid, and mash with cream and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
• For the Gravy: In a medium sauce pan heat the olive oil over medium heat and saute mushrooms until soft. Add the wine and demi-glace and reduce until the gravy coats the back of a spoon.

CREAMY MASHED ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Set a large pot over high heat and add the milk, cream, salt, thyme and bay leaves. Peel and cut the turnips into 1-inch chunks. Add to the pot and cover partially with a lid. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the turnips for 30 minutes.
• Cut the potatoes into 1-inch chunks. After the turnips have cooked for 30 minutes (it takes longer than the potatoes to cook), add the potatoes and continue to simmer until all the vegetables are very tender, about 20 more minutes (the tip of a paring knife should go through with little resistance). Discard the bay leaves and thyme. Drain the turnips and potatoes, reserving 2 cups of cooking liquid, and then mash. Add the cooking liquid and butter. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.