Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes Michael Smith Food

BROWN BUTTER MASHED POTATOES (MICHAEL SMITH)

Steps:

• Cut the potatoes into large chunks then steam, boil or microwave them until they're tender. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, toss the butter into a small saucepot and heat it until it melts over medium heat. Because butter contains as much as twenty percent water it will then begin to steam and foam. Once the water has evaporated the foam will subside and the butter's temperature will begin to rise. The milk fat solids that are one or two percent of the butter will then begin to brown.
• Continue watching as it begins foaming a second time. Swirl it gently, watching the colour, until it turns golden brown and releases the aroma of toasting nuts.
• Immediately pour the browned butter into a bowl to stop it from browning further.
• When the potatoes are tender mash in the butter, nutmeg and seasonings. Taste and season a bit more if needed. Then watch the bowl empty!

BROWN BUTTER MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes, rinse in cold water and cut into fourths. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the butter to a saucepan over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown, 2 to 3 minutes, being careful not to burn it. Swirl the pan as you go, stopping when the solids turn medium to deep golden brown.
• Drain the potatoes, then return them to the pot. With the burner on low heat, mash the potatoes with a potato masher; the more steam that's released while you mash, the better. Mash for about 5 minutes. Turn off the burner.
• Add the cream cheese, half-and-half, cream, some salt and pepper and three-quarters of the brown butter to the pot and stir to combine. If the mixture needs thinning, add some milk. Check the seasonings, adding salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the remaining brown butter over the top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.

BUTTER BROWN POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and cut in half lengthwise (you only need enough that will fit in the bottom of your baking dish- so start with four and see if you need to peel more to fill the dish).
• Place butter/margarine in a 9x13 baking dish and place in a preheated 350 F degree oven, and let it melt. Remove from oven and add potatoes in coating thoroughly (you may have to use a basting brush for this). Arrange potatoes cut side down, and season with the salt and pepper.
• Return dish to oven and bake for 45 minutes to an hour (depending on thickness of potatoes), or until the potatoes are golden brown and cooked through. For best results baste the potatoes with the melted butter in the bottom of the dish halfway through the cooking time.
• Note: this is a really easy side dish if you are cooking other items in the oven and can easily be made when you have to bake something between 325 and 375- just adjust the cooking time.