Garlic Potato Purée With Shiitake Ragoût And Potato Crisps Recipes

POTATO, SHIITAKE AND BRIE GRATIN

Steps:

• Using a mandoline or sharp knife, cut the potatoes into slices about 1/8 of an inch thick. Place them in a large bowl of cold water and soak for 30 minutes, changing the water twice. Drain and pat them dry.
• Arrange two oven racks so that one is in the bottom third of the oven and the other is in the middle. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Butter a shallow 10-inch gratin dish or glass baking dish.
• Thinly slice the shiitake caps. Cut the Brie into small cubes. Layer a third of the potato slices in the dish. Lay half the shiitakes and half the cheese evenly over the top. Liberally season with salt and pepper. Add another third of the potatoes and top with remaining shiitakes and Brie. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange remaining potato slices on top. Combine the cream, garlic and thyme and pour over the potatoes, pushing down so that all the liquid is absorbed and spreading the garlic and thyme evenly. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake on the middle rack for 30 minutes.
• Combine the Parmesan and bread crumbs and season the mixture with more salt and pepper. Remove the foil from the pan and sprinkle the crumbs over the potatoes. Place the pan on a rack in the bottom third of the oven and bake 30 to 40 minutes longer, until the potatoes are very tender and the top and bottom are crusty and dark brown.

GARLIC POTATO PURéE WITH SHIITAKE RAGOûT AND POTATO CRISPS

Steps:

• Brush a baking sheet well with some of the oil. In a food processor fitted with the 2-millimeter slicing disk or with a hand-held slicing device slice thin the potato on the diagonal (cut one end of the potato on the diagonal to facilitate this) and arrange the slices immediately in one layer on the sheet. Brush the slices with the remaining oil, sprinkle them with salt to taste, and bake them in the middle of a preheated 400°F. oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Transfer the crisps while they are still warm with a metal spatula to a rack and let them cool. The crisps may be made several days in advance and kept in a plastic bag at room temperature.
• Peel the potatoes, quarter them lengthwise, and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Reserving 3 of the garlic cloves for the ragout, in a steamer set over boiling water steam the remaining garlic cloves with the potatoes, covered, for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender. Force the steamed garlic and the potatoes through a ricer or food mill fitted with the medium disk into a large bowl, stir in the butter, the milk, and salt and pepper to taste, and keep the purée warm, covered. The purée may be made 1 day in advance, kept covered and chilled, and reheated.
• In a large heavy skillet heat the oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it saute the mushrooms with the reserved garlic cloves, minced, and salt and pepper to taste for 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are softened and any liquid they give off is evaporated. Add the Sherry and boil the mixture until almost all the liquid is evaporated. Add the broth and the soy sauce and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir the cornstarch mixture, stir it into the sauce, and simmer the ragout, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Stir in the parsley. The ragout may be made 1 day in advance, kept covered and chilled, and reheated.
• Divide the purée among 8 heated small plates, mounding it, arrange 3 crisps decoratively in each mound, and spoon the ragout over and around the purée.

GARLIC AND ROSEMARY POTATO PUREE

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of water and add a pinch of salt. Set steamer basket in pot, making sure water doesn't seep through holes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a rapid simmer.
• Add potatoes to steamer basket and steam until tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Bring cream, garlic, and rosemary to a simmer in a small pot, then remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve. Clean pot, then return cream to pot. Add butter and heat over medium until melted, stirring to combine. Cover and keep warm, either over lowest setting on the stove or in a warm pot.
• Remove potatoes from steamer basket and while the potatoes are still hot, pass through a ricer or a food mill fitted with a fine disk into a large bowl. Stir in cream mixture and season with salt and pepper. If a finer texture is desired, pass puree through a medium-mesh sieve, pressing on solids with a rubber spatula to extract as much puree as possible. Reheat over medium heat with a little more cream or water if necessary before serving.

LIMA BEAN, POTATO, AND GARLIC PURéE WITH POTATO CRISPS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan combine potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces, and garlic with enough water to cover by 1 inch and simmer, covered, 8 minutes. Add lima beans and simmer 8 minutes more, or until potatoes are tender.
• Reserve about 3/4 cup cooking liquid. Drain mixture in colander and force through a food mill fitted with a medium disk into a bowl. Stir in butter, salt and pepper to taste, and enough reserved liquid to reach desired consistency. Purée, covered and chilled, 1 day.
• Serve purée topped with potato crisps.

PARSNIP-POTATO-AND-ROASTED-GARLIC PUREE

Steps:

• Place the parsnips in a large saucepan and cover with water. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and cook until parsnips and potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes. Drain well and pass the vegetables through a ricer into a medium-size bowl.
• Stir the roasted garlic and the milk into the puree until well combined. Add the salt and pepper to taste. Divide among 4 plates and serve immediately.