Smashed Root Vegetables And Caramelized Leeks Recipes

ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees with racks in upper and lower thirds. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss vegetables with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer half of vegetables to another rimmed baking sheet. Spread vegetables in a single layer.
• Roast, rotating baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through, until vegetables are tender and golden brown in spots, 50 to 60 minutes. Transfer to a platter and toss with vinegar. Sprinkle with mint and serve.

SMASHED ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Place the parsnips, garlic, potatoes and celery root in a large pot. Cover with cold water by one inch and add the 2 tablespoons salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain well, then return the cooked vegetables to the pot. Using a wooden spoon, stir the vegetables over medium heat to remove some of the excess moisture, about 4 minutes. With a large fork or potato masher, lightly mash the vegetables. Off the heat, add the 1 teaspoon salt and the lemon zest, thyme, olive oil and Parmesan. Mix until well combined. Serve hot.

BALSAMIC CARAMELIZED LEEKS, CARROTS, AND CELERY

Steps:

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir leeks until softened, about 5 minutes. Add celery, carrots, vegetable broth, and balsamic vinegar; cook and stir until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Stir brown sugar into leek mixture until dissolved and mixture is lightly browned, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper.

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.

SAVORY MASHED ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Place all the vegetables and garlic in a large pot and fill with cool water to cover; season with a teaspoon of salt. Bring to boil over medium heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the vegetables are very tender.
• While the vegetables are cooking, combine the heavy cream, butter, and herbs in a pot and heat over low flame to melt the butter and infuse the herb flavor into the cream ¿ do not allow to boil. Shut off the heat, cover, and let steep until needed. When ready to use, remove the herb stems and the bay leaves.
• Drain vegetables and put them into a large mixing bowl. Mash with a potato masher. Stir in the warm cream mixture and mix until the liquid is absorbed and the vegetables are smooth; season with salt and pepper. Put the mashed root vegetables in a serving bowl, garnish with chopped chives and drizzle with a healthy dose of olive oil.

MASHED POTATOES WITH GARLIC, MASCARPONE, AND CARAMELIZED LEEKS

Steps:

• Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and stir to coat. Cover and cook until leeks are golden brown, stirring every 5 minutes, about 20 minutes total. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)
• Combine 1/2 cup milk and garlic in medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium-low heat. Reduce heat to very low, cover, and cook until garlic is soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Using back of fork, mash milk-garlic mixture to paste. Set aside.
• Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain well. Return potatoes to same pot; mash until almost smooth. Add mascarpone and milk-garlic mixture; mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand uncovered at room temperature. Rewarm over medium-low heat, stirring and thinning with milk by 1/4 cupfuls if dry.) Top with leeks.
• *Italian cream cheese; sold at many supermarkets and at Italian markets. If unavailable, blend 3/4 cup cream cheese with 3 tablespoons whipping cream and 1 1/2 tablespoons sour cream.