Ah, comfort foods. Whether you’re snowed in with the winter blues, sick as a dog, or suffering from a sadness that only carbs can fix, comfort foods make us feel warm and relaxed. I had a painful run-in with the dentist this weekend, so not only am I craving a little comfort, but something soft and mushy… and potatoey, and buttery… Ok, I’ll stop drooling now. It’s mashed potato time!
And of course, what’s more comforting than knowing that you’ve bought local, quality ingredients to add to your dish as well? Comfort foods should be as easy to make, as they are pleasing to eat. The great thing about mashed potatoes is, there’s no exact science to it.
Peel your potatoes (7 russet potatoes makes about 5-6 servings) and cut them into medium sized chunks. Boil for about 25 minutes, or until soft. Add in small doses salt, milk product, and butter product (I use soy milk and Earth Balance margerine). Mash, and experiment with the ingredients until you’ve got the desired consistency and flavor.
While I tend to be a bit of a potato purist, I know that the same old thing can get a little bland after a while, so here are three mashed potato varieties:
Garlic and Chive Potatoes:
Follow the same basic mashed potato recipe. About the same time you boil the potatoes, you’re going to roast up some garlic.
Take a whole bulb and chop off the end without the stem so that the top of each clove of garlic is exposed. Drizzle the top in olive oil. Wrap in foil and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
After you’ve begun mashing the potatoes and the garlic has cooled you’ll be able to squeeze out the garlic, like a paste into the mixture. Throw in some chopped chives and you’re all set.
Edamame Mashed Potatoes:
Crazy, right? This is one of those dishes that sounds fancy but is super easy. Again, follow the basic mashed potato recipe.
You’ll also need 1/2 cup shelled edamame, 1 clove of chopped garlic, 1 teaspoon chopped ginger, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, some ground black pepper.
Throw those ingredients into a food processor (or blender) while the potatoes boil and add in when you mash them.
If you like a little kick, throw some wasabi powder in there too.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes:
Another dish that’s so easy, but so rich that people will think you slaved over it.
For these you’ll want to leave the skin on at first. Take 6-7 sweet potatoes and rub them with oil.
Place them uncovered on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes at 425 degrees.
Once they’ve cooled, start mashing them up, removing large pieces of skin as you go.
Add in 3/4 cup of coconut milk, 2 teaspoons of salt, 2 tablespoons olive oil and mash away!
I know the tradition is “meat and potatoes” but as an alternative, I like to serve mine alongside some big grilled portobello mushrooms. Stay tuned for upcoming posts in which I’ll be covering more comfort foods. Can vegans heat up a comparable mac-n-cheese? You’ll have to check back to find out…
Sharon Troy
Sharon began working as Green Options' Office Manager, and has gone on to wear many hats, working also as Intern Coordinator, Editor, and Social Media Coordinator. In the GO office, she is perhaps best known as the founder and chef for the weekly "Soup Day." Prior to working with Green Options, Sharon earned a BA in Humanities from New College of California, and worked in the nonprofit arts and education sector. A vegetarian for seven years, and vegan for nearly three, Sharon has a bit of an obsession for plant-based food. When she's not hanging out in the bulk aisle of her local food co-op, Sharon is at home, trying to grow hydroponic basil, playing with her white fluffy cat, or annoying her neighbors by singing showtunes.
9 Responses to Three Easy Mashed Potato Recipes
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[...] C, manganese and potassium. And there are countless versatile ways to prepare them, from baked to mashed to latkes. Just stay away from the fried [...]
I make mashed potatoes with no butter and no milk. the fat i use to make them creamy is very ripe avocados! Take about a half a cup of guacamole and add it to a pot of boiled and smashed potatoes. the texture is great, the spices make it taste so good and the tomatoes give it pretty red specks! it is a good side dish to be served with mexican spiced steak or even chicken. i have an obsession with all foods that are mexican so this was just up my alley!!!
[...] vegan simply because it lasted so much longer in my fridge! If you’re using it for baking, in mashed potatoes, or other dishes in smaller quantities, you won’t taste the difference. Same thing goes for [...]
[...] This post is the second in a series on eco-friendly comfort foods. What are your favorite comfort foods? Let me know in the [...]
My wife comes from Irish roots, so mashed potatoes are a staple for us… definitely going to have to try these out.
Wow. I am going to have to make all of those. Probably not all at once . . .
mmmmmm. I love mashed potatoes. Now I think I love them more.
Today my guy made mashed potatoes, and he mixed carrots in with them! He’s such a weird caveman. Seriously, he can eat 10 lbs of potatoes in one sitting. Yes, his clothing labels say “L” on them.