Jean Pleet Mash Recipes

CREAMY MASHED POTATO

Steps:

• Place in a large pot with 1 tbsp salt. Add water so it's 10cm / 4" above potatoes.
• Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce heat so it's simmering rapidly. Cook 15 minutes or until potatoes are very soft (jab with fork to test, they should fall apart).
• Drain well, return into pot. Leave for 1 minute, shaking pot every now and then, to encourage evaporation of water.
• Add Flavourings then mash well, using milk to make it looser if desired.
• DO NOT use: a beater, stick blender, food processor or blender. You can pulse with a stand mixer or handheld mixer but be cautious, stop as soon as it's creamy (potatoes will quickly go from perfect to gluey using appliances).
• Transfer to serving bowl, make pretty swirls across the top and drizzle over butter. Sprinkle with chives then serve!

BUTTER BEAN MASH

Steps:

• Gently fry the onion, garlic and rosemary in the oil until the onions are soft and cooked through.
• Add the butter beans to the pan, stir and heat through.
• Drizzle with lemon juice and stir in the zest.
• Mash the beans manually. Alternatively, pour half the mixture into a food processor and blend until smooth, stirring in the remaining butterbean mixture.
• Serve immediately.

CHEF JOHN'S PERFECT MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place the potatoes into a large pot, and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, and return the potatoes to the pot. Turn heat to high, and allow the potatoes to dry for about 30 seconds. Turn off the heat.
• Mash the potatoes with a potato masher twice around the pot, then add the butter and milk. Continue to mash until smooth and fluffy. Whisk in the salt and black pepper until evenly distributed, about 15 seconds.

BANGERS AND MASH WITH ONION GRAVY

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in an ovenproof frying pan and gently sizzle the sausages over a medium-high heat for 8-10 mins, turning them, until browned on all sides. Transfer to a plate, then put the butter in the pan and heat until sizzling. Scatter in the onions, stirring them into the butter, then add the thyme sprig, bay and sugar. Give everything a final stir, then put the sausages on top and drizzle over any juices from the plate. Roast everything for 20 mins, turning the sausages halfway through.
• Meanwhile, make the mash. Tip the potatoes into a pan of cold salted water and bring to the boil, then turn down and simmer for 10-12 mins or until just cooked all the way through (the tip of a knife should slide in easily). Drain in a colander and leave for a minute. Tip the milk into the pan and bring to a simmer, then pass the potatoes through a ricer into the hot milk and mash thoroughly. Once mashed, beat with a wooden spoon or spatula over very low heat, then beat in the butter a few bits at a time. You should have extra-fluffy, smooth mash. Keep it warm.
• When the sausages are cooked, remove from the oven, turn the oven off and lift the sausages onto a tray. Return them to the oven to keep warm. Put the pan back on the heat and give the roasted onions a stir, they should be sticky and slightly burnt around the edges. Sizzle for a minute or two more to caramelise, then stir in the flour and cook for another minute. Splash in the vinegar, simmer for a minute, then pour over the red wine and soy, and bubble down to a gloopy paste. Pour over the stock and boil for 3-4 mins, or until you have a rich gravy. If you prefer, scoop out the thyme and bay, or just leave it in. Tip into a bowl or gravy jug with a serving spoon for the onions. Bring everything to the table and scoop a big mound of mash onto the middle of each plate, then top with the sausages and gravy.