Easy creamed potatoes
One of our first culinary clashes was over mashed potatoes. “To be good, they need to be hugely unhealthy with lashings of cream and butter,” Danny announced as he searched the fridge shelves for double cream. “I like them made with a dash of milk and a large knob of butter.” “Milk?” His eyes rolled. We did agree on one point. White pepper is essential. I had always used black pepper but Danny introduced me to the subtleties of white on eggs, swede and potatoes. So we have a small oak peppermill filled with white peppercorns that...
read moreMashed potatoes infused with basil and rape seed oil recipe
Potatoes are important to Danny. Not just having some on the plate. They have to be the right variety. When he talks about potatoes it’s like a man describing a tribe of much loved children. And then there are the best ways of cooking them. “Creamed potatoes need lashings of cream and butter. That’s why they’re called creamed.” The milk bottle is silently returned to the fridge. The urge to create a new potato dish bubbles to the surface every now and then. This can only be attempted when I am cooking and D is...
read moreMashed potatoes with olive oil, goats’ cheddar and chives recipe
Last night someone came to the blog looking for the answer to a fundamental question, “Who invented vegetables?” Whoever invented potatoes was onto a good thing. They are included in 80% of dishes in the Northern hemisphere and Danny adores them. Occasionally I cook rice or cous cous but when he cooks, potatoes are always included. They are his touchstone. Until I met D I just bought “white potatoes”. Apart from Jersey Royals in the Spring. Danny knows all the names (even the ones from his childhood when he was forced...
read moreEasy Mashed potato (no lumps guaranteed)
Where would I be without my potato ricer? If Danny makes mashed potato he pounds away with an old fashioned potato masher. I used to do the same and however long I spent, there were always lumps. D was polite and ate them but I always felt that secretly he was thinking that his were far better. And they were. Rising to the challenge, I secretly asked around for a solution. Some friends used a masher, some took this a step further. They mashed and then applied an electric whisk to the pot. Additions of butter, milk and cream were complex extra...
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