For that traditional home style “meat and potatoes” meal, there is nothing quite like true, homemade mashed potatoes. To take this classic side dish a step further, we will be blending in roasted garlic and fresh basil leaves. The full flavor of roasted garlic will add incredible richness. The basil adds beautiful presentation, color, fragrance, as well as great flavor to polish the dish. The aroma in your home will be heavenly! When served, this variation is sure to bring applause to your dining room table.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes (About 3 pounds)
- Roasted Garlic (1 large head)
- Basil (about fresh 25 leaves)
- Heavy Cream (1/2 Pint)
- Butter (1 stick)
- Fresh Ground Pepper
- Salt (optional)
Preparation:
Roasting the garlic requires a bit of advanced preparation. Leave the heads of garlic whole. Slice off the very top of the head, trying to expose the tip of each of the individual cloves. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the top. Use a garlic roaster if you have one. Otherwise, wrap the heads inside of tin foil. Bake at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes. Remove the garlic from the roster immediately and set aside to cool. When cooled enough to handle, squeeze the cloves out one-by-one into a dish.
Peel the potatoes and cut into 1-2 inch pieces. Leave the “knots” to add color and texture. Bring a pot of water up to a boil. Carefully, add the potatoes. Cook about 10 minutes under tender. Drain and add to a large mixing bowl.
Wash and inspect the basil. Remove the stems. Slice into long, thin strips.
Add the heavy cream to the mixing bowl and use a mixer to blend the potatoes. When blended, add the butter and roasted garlic and mix. Finally, add the basil and do one final mix. Do not mix on too high of a setting or mix for too long. The goal here is to have natural mashed potatoes with a bit of texture to them.
Serve immediately or tuck into a warm oven until the rest of the meal is ready.
The fragrance, color, texture, and taste of our creation is sure to be a perfect accompaniment to your meal and add great presentation to your dining experience.
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