Creamy Celery Root Skordalia Food

SKORDALIA: GREEK GARLIC MASHED POTATO DIP

Steps:

• Place cubed potatoes in a big colander and rinse with cold water until the water is clear (see cook's tip #1). Transfer to a saucepan and add water to cover the potatoes by at least 2 inches. Salt the water well. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the potatoes are well cooked through (test by inserting a knife, it should break the potatoes with no resistance). Drain the potatoes in the same colander and rinse again, this time with hot water, for 30 seconds. Set the potatoes aside for 5 to 7 minutes to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
• While potatoes are cooling, combine almonds, garlic, large pinch of kosher salt, and lemon juice in the small bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade. Run processor until the garlic and almonds turn into a paste (as smooth as you can get it).
• Using a potato masher or a food mill (do not use food processor), mash the potatoes thoroughly.
• To the mashed potatoes, add about 1/2 of the olive oil, a little bit at a time, mixing well with a wooden spoon. Add the garlic and almond paste and mix well. Then add the remaining olive oil, again a little bit at a time, mixing well with your wooden spoon. Taste and add more kosher salt if needed. Mix well to combine. (At this point, if you're not serving the skordalia, you can let it cool then chill in the fridge until later).
• Transfer the mashed potato dip into a serving bowl or dish. Add a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and top with chopped green onions, parsley and lemon zest. Serve at room temperature or chilled (if you had chilled it before adding garnish).

CREAMY CELERY ROOT MASH

Steps:

• Place celeriac into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Mash celeriac, sour cream, and dill together in a large bowl with a potato masher until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

SKORDALIA

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Season the water with salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until very tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water in the saucepan.
• To the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, add the almonds, garlic, oregano and 2 teaspoons salt. Process to a paste. With the machine running, add the lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil in a slow steady stream until very smooth. Add the drained potatoes and pulse to combine. Add 1 cup of the reserved potato cooking liquid. Pulse to bring together and then process until just smooth and light, adding more water if needed (the consistency should be similar to hummus). Taste and season with salt, if needed.
• Transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with chili oil. Serve with vegetables and pita chips for dipping.
• Heat a grill pan or gas or charcoal grill over medium-high heat.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil and heat until shimmering, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chives, dill, red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine and cook for 1 to 2 more minutes until infused. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Liberally brush the pita breads with oil on both sides, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the oiled breads onto the hot grill to sear and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Brush the grilled pita breads with the herby butter and season with sumac and flaky salt, if desired. Cut into wedges and serve as dippers with the skordalia.

CREAM OF CELERY ROOT SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add celery roots, onions and celery. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Add garlic, celery salt and cayenne pepper and stir 1 minute. Add vermouth and boil until most of liquid evaporates, about 8 minutes. Add stock. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 15 minutes. Puree soup in blender in batches until smooth. Return to saucepan. Add cream. Simmer until thickened to desired consistency, about 5 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

CREAMY CELERY ROOT AND PEARL ONIONS

Steps:

• Place celery root in a 6-qt. stockpot; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until tender, 4-6 minutes. Drain; set aside., In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat butter over medium heat. Add pearl onions, broth, sugar and salt. Cook onions, stirring often, until onions begin to brown, 12-15 minutes. Add celery root and cream; simmer until slightly thickened, 3-5 minutes. Stir in parsley and pepper.

CREAMY CELERY ROOT SKORDALIA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, cover the garlic with the oil and simmer over low heat until the garlic is tender, about 12 minutes. Let the garlic stand in the oil. Using a sharp knife, peel the celery root and cut into 1-inch cubes. In a saucepan, cover the celery root with water and bring to a boil. Add a large pinch of salt and simmer over moderate heat until tender, 25 minutes. Drain and spread out on a work surface or baking sheet. Let dry for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, spread the almonds in a pie plate and toast in the oven for about 7 minutes, until golden. Let cool. Transfer the celery root to a food processor. Using a slotted spoon, add the cooked garlic, then add the toasted almonds and lemon juice and puree. With the machine on, gradually pour in the garlic-infused olive oil. Season the skordalia with salt, stir in 1/4 cup of water and serve.