Geoffrey Zakarians Mashed Potatoes Recipes

THE CREAMIEST, BUTTERIEST, TASTIEST MASHED POTATOES EVER

Steps:

• For the mashed potatoes: Add the potatoes and 1 tablespoon salt to a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook over medium-high heat until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and set aside to dry.
• Whip together the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with a hand mixer on medium speed until thoroughly blended, about 2 minutes. Add the still-warm potatoes alternating with the half-and-half. Whip until blended. Add in the pepper and garlic and season with salt to taste.
• Grease a 9-by-14-inch glass baking dish with butter and pour the potato mixture into it. Bake right away, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
• When ready to bake and serve, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the topping: Pour the melted butter over the potato mixture and bake until bubbly and slightly golden, about 45 minutes. Garnish with the chives and parsley. The potatoes can be kept warm in a 200-degree oven or tented with foil until ready to serve, up to 2 hours.

TURKEY SHEPHERD'S PIE WITH SWEET POTATO

Steps:

• For the mashed sweet potatoes: Scoop sweet potato flesh into a large bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher. Mix in the cream, butter, coriander, ginger and egg yolks. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Scrape into a pastry bag and set aside.
• For the topping: Mix the cheeses, breadcrumbs and fresh thyme together in a bowl. Set aside.
• For the shepherd's pie: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Render down the bacon in a large saute pan or braiser over medium heat until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the fat in the pan. Add the ground turkey to the pan, and cook, stirring often and breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until evenly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. Add the onion, leek and sage, and cook until caramelized, another 7 to 10 minutes.
• Stir in the pine nuts, flour, tomato paste, coriander and ginger and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the chicken stock, carrots and meat, then return to a simmer and cook until reduced and nappe (when it thickly coats the back of a spoon), another 10 to 15 minutes. Taste for seasoning.
• Top with an even layer of the sweet potato mixture. Sprinkle evenly with the breadcrumb topping. Bake until golden brown, about 1 hour. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

HERBED POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• For the potato salad: Place the potatoes and whole garlic cloves in a large pot and cover by 2 inches with cold water. Season the water liberally with salt. Bring the potatoes to a simmer over medium heat and cook until fork-tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain the potatoes and garlic in a colander. Transfer to a sheet tray or cutting board. Gently press each potato and garlic clove to smash them and set them aside in a bowl, covering the bowl with aluminum foil to keep the potatoes warm.
• For the vinaigrette: In a large bowl, whisk together the shallots, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, honey, salt and a generous grinding of pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to emulsify the vinaigrette.
• Add the warm potatoes to the vinaigrette and toss to combine. Add the parsley, dill and tarragon to the potatoes. Toss to coat, seasoning with additional lemon juice and salt to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the Fresno chile and chives. Serve at room temperature or keep covered in the refrigerator overnight, tossing again before serving.

MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, and enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return to the pan. Shake the pan over medium heat for about a minute to dry the potatoes. Transfer the potatoes to a food mill, ricer, or bowl.
• Put the milk and butter in the saucepan, and heat over medium-high heat until the butter melts and the milk is hot. Remove pan from the heat. Mash the potatoes through the food mill, ricer, or by hand into the pan. Stir to combine with the milk and butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add nutmeg, if desired. Serve immediately.

YUKON GOLD POTATO GRATIN WITH HORSERADISH, GRUYERE AND SWEET ONION

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the cream, half-and-half, horseradish, nutmeg, garlic and onion in a medium saucepan and slowly bring the mixture to a simmer. Be sure to stir on occasion to prevent scorching. Season with salt and pepper.
• In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, spoon a thin layer of the cream and onion mixture onto the bottom. Layer the potatoes, followed by a sprinkle of cheese. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Repeat this process until the dish is filled and the gratin is moist. Combine the breadcrumbs and thyme and sprinkle on top.
• Bake until the potatoes are tender and the gratin is caramelized on top and bubbly on the edges, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

REALLY CREAMY POTATO PURéE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• On a parchment-lined sheet pan, arrange the potatoes in an even layer. Bake the potatoes until tender, about 45 minutes. Let the potatoes cool slightly until able to be handled but still hot. Peel the potatoes.
• Add one potato at a time to a ricer and rice the potatoes into a pot. Add the warm cream to the potatoes and some pieces of butter. Whisk until smooth. Continue to add most of the remaining butter, whisking piece by piece, reserving 1 to 2 tablespoons to finish. Season the potatoes with salt.
• Fill a small Dutch oven with hot water to warm it up. Dump the water and transfer the potatoes to the pot. Top with the remaining butter and garnish with chives.