French Farmhouse Potatoes
These simple and mouthwatering French farmhouse potatoes are a classic, but I give Rachel Ray the credit for bringing this recipe to my attention during one of her holiday specials. The true credit, however, for the recipe goes to famous French chef Jacques Pépin, who originally made this potato side a favorite on many family tables years ago. Rumor has it, this particular recipe was made by his French grandmother on a daily basis, served with dinner and loved by all. There are only a few simple ingredients needed for what ends up becoming soft, rich and creamy potato goodness. And while the process for making them isn’t difficult, it does…
How To Make Perfect Mashed Potatoes
It’s hard to argue with science-based methods for how to make mashed potatoes perfect every time! A group of my friends and I were having a conversation recently about the best way to make perfect mashed potatoes. As boring as that may sound to some, for us it was grand—talk of butter (so. much. butter.), cream, sour cream, cream cheese and other delicious and savory additions is enough to not only keep our attention, but also make us super hungry. I believe mashed potatoes were on our menu that night as a result. At any rate, one of my friends shared a link showcasing Sunset Magazine food editor Margo True and…
Creamy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
I’m not sure there’s a potato dish I’ve met that I haven’t loved. In fact, I believe I could eat potatoes everyday of my life and be completely happy—much to my family’s dismay. Especially these creamy, cheesy scalloped potatoes! They like it when I change things up from a sides perspective. And, I suppose I can’t argue with that. But, rest assured there will be potatoes on the weekly dinner menu at least once, with plenty of leftovers for me to indulge my potato obsession during lunch via leftovers. Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes and roasted potatoes are definite favorites because they’re easy to throw together on a weeknight with little to…
Sweet Potato Casserole
The very best sweet potato casserole EVER. And not a marshmallow in sight! My paternal grandmother passed away many years ago and, even today, Thanksgiving isn’t complete without her tried and true — and terribly addicting! — sweet potato casserole. This isn’t your typical sweet potato casserole that’s served on Thanksgiving. There isn’t a marshmallow in sight. Not a one. Instead, it’s a fluffy, creamy, crunchy, gooey, can’t-believe-it’s-a-side-not-a-dessert accompaniment to an already spectacular spread. And it’s better without the marshmallows. It. Just. Is. My aunt has traditionally made this sweet potato casserole every year since my grandmother’s passing. For one, it’s super delicious … the perfect sweet bite to go…
Whipped Mashed Potatoes
Once you make mashed potatoes from scratch you’ll never resort to the flakes in a box again. Potatoes can be your family’s best friend. Versatile and affordable, potatoes are a part of a wide variety of cuisines, ranging from American, to Irish, to Indian, and on and on. Oddly, despite the general ease of cooking spuds, I’ve heard people say, “There’s just no way I can make mashed potatoes from scratch. It’s too complicated!” That’s. Just. Not. True. Potatoes from the produce isle, not the flakes in the box, are where it’s at. It’s really very simple to make homemade mashed potatoes (and gravy, too, for that matter), and once you make them…
Mashed Potato Pancakes
Mashed potatoes might be the quintessential comfort food. Or, at least, my quintessential comfort food. Mashed potato pancakes? Ahhh … divine. It’s rare that I whip up a batch of mashed potatoes and have leftovers “just because,” so I have to be intentional about it and throw in an extra potato or two to ensure leftover mashed potato goodness. I use a basic mashed potato recipe that’s no fail, and super yummy. It involves whatever potatoes are on sale (though my favorites are red skin OR russet because I believe they make the creamiest mash), whole milk, salted butter, salt, a dash of black pepper, and a hand-held mixer. Some of…
Growing Organic Potatoes
I don’t have a green thumb, but thankfully when it comes to things like growing organic potatoes and tons of other produce, my mother, sister and brother-in-law do. Two weekends ago it was time to start digging up the potatoes in the big garden on the homestead. My mom’s a seed-saver, which means she carefully keeps seeds from the produce she’s grown (mostly heirloom and all organic) to use for planting the next season’s crops. In this case, all the potatoes in these rows are from just a few russet, white and red potatoes she kept and planted. There are various machines you can use to unearth the potatoes (which…
Whipped Parsnips and Potatoes
Whipped parsnips and potatoes is no exact match for classic mashed potatoes, but they were creamy and delicious nevertheless AND ready in twenty minutes. Our CSA bag this week included parsnips and a variety of other goodies like kiwi, apples, potatoes, rainbow carrots and zucchini. I joked that this week’s theme was “long and lean” after lining up a few of the veggies and Instagramming the shot! Love it. Right? So, back to those parsnips. I’m a fan, having had them in various restaurant purées over the years. They’re kind of sweet like a carrot, but without tasting like carrots. And they cook and mash up like a potato, but…
