Syrian Mashed Potatoes Recipes

SYRIAN MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Fill a large stock pot with water and bring to boil. Boil the potatoes until tender. Drain.
• Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and mash them well. Add the diced onion, olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Stir.
• Fry the yellow onion in a little bit of olive oil until crispy. Set aside. Lightly fry the pine nuts until browned being careful not to burn them! Garnish the crispy onions and browned pine nuts (and fresh flat leaf parsley if desired) on top of the mashed potatoes.

MIDDLE EASTERN GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl; mash until smooth. Set aside to cool.
• Put garlic, salt, and lemon juice in a blender or food processor; pour in enough oil to lightly coat garlic cloves. Blend mixture on high; slowly stream remaining oil through the top opening of the blender or food processor until mixture is smooth. Add mashed potatoes, about 2 to 3 tablespoons at a time, to the garlic mixture while blender is still running. Continue adding potatoes until all are incorporated. Transfer sauce to a bowl and refrigerate until chilled, 1 hour to overnight.

SYRIAN POTATO SALAD (PATATA SALATA)

Steps:

• Boil whole potatoes until tender. Drain and allow to cool.
• When potatoes are just cool enough to handle, but still warm, peel and cut into large dice.
• Chop the parsley, mint, and scallions. (A food processor works great here!).
• Finely mince, or crush to a paste, the cloves of garlic.
• Slowly whisk the olive oil into the lemon juice. Add the garlic, parsley, mint and scallions.
• Pour the dressing over the potatoes and add salt and pepper to taste. (Combining them while the potatoes are still warm will make the tastiest salad.).
• Chill or serve at room temperature.