Inas Potato Basil Purée Recipes

INA'S POTATO BASIL PURéE

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water and add about a couple teaspoons of salt. Bring this to a boil over high heat.
• Fill a large bowl with water and ice.
• Lower the basil leaves into the boiling water for 15 seconds.
• With a slotted spoon remove the leaves and put them immediately into the ice water to stop the cooking and to set the beautiful green color.
• Remove the leaves from the ice water and lay on paper towels to drain. Set aside.
• Bring the water back to a boil and add the potatoes.
• Boil gently for 18 to 25 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender.
• Drain the water off the potatoes, return to the burner and turn it down to low. Cover and let the potatoes steam for a moment to dry them a bit.
• Put the cream and the Parmesan cheese together in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the cream is simmering.
• In a food processor with the steel blade, chop the basil leaves.
• Pour the hot cream mixture through the feed tube and process until smooth.
• Beat the hot potatoes with a handheld mixer or potato masher until they lightly mashed.
• Then slowly add the hot cream mixture and the salt and the pepper.
• Continue beating until the potatoes are smooth and creamy.
• Take a taste of this glorious concoction and add salt and pepper to your taste.
• Serve hot with a sprig of fresh basil for garnish.

POTATO BASIL FRITTATA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a 10-inch ovenproof omelet pan over medium-low heat. Add the potatoes and fry them until cooked through, turning often, about 10 to 15 minutes. Melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter in a small dish in the microwave.
• Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, then stir in the ricotta, Gruyere, melted butter, salt, pepper, and basil. Sprinkle on the flour and baking powder and stir into the egg mixture.
• Pour the egg mixture over the potatoes and place the pan in the center of the oven. Bake the frittata until it is browned and puffed, 50 minutes to 1 hour. It will be rounded and firm in the middle and a knife inserted in the frittata should come out clean. Serve hot.

POTATO BASIL PURéE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and fill a bowl with ice water. Add the basil leaves to the boiling water and cook for exactly 15 seconds. Remove the basil with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge the leaves into the ice water to set the bright green color. Drain and set aside.
• Peel the potatoes and cut them in quarters. Add the potatoes to the same pot of boiling water and return to a boil. Cook the potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes, until very tender. Drain well, return to the sauce- pan, and steam over low heat until any remaining water evaporates.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the half-and-half and Parmesan cheese until the cream simmers. Place the basil in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and purée. Add the hot cream mixture and process until smooth.
• With a handheld mixer with the beater attachment, beat the hot potatoes in the pot until they are broken up. Slowly add the hot basil cream, the salt, and pepper and beat until smooth. If the potatoes need to be reheated, cover and cook gently over low heat for a few minutes. Pour into a serving bowl, sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese, season to taste, and serve hot.

ROASTED POTATO LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the potatoes and leeks on a sheet pan in a single layer. Add the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss to coat the vegetables evenly. Roast for 40 to 45 minutes, turning them with a spatula a few times during cooking, until very tender. Add the arugula and toss to combine. Roast for 4 to 5 more minutes, until the arugula is wilted. Remove the pan from the oven and place over 2 burners. Stir in the wine and 1 cup of the chicken stock and cook over low heat, scraping up any crispy roasted bits sticking to the pan.
• In batches, transfer the roasted vegetables to a food processor fitted with the steel blade, adding the pan liquid and about 5 cups of the chicken stock to make a puree. Pour the puree into a large pot or Dutch oven. Continue to puree the vegetables in batches until they're all done and combined in the large pot. Add enough of the remaining 1 to 2 cups of stock to make a thick soup. Add the cream, creme fraiche, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and check the seasonings.
• When ready to serve, reheat the soup gently and whisk in 2 tablespoons white wine and 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Serve hot with an extra grating of Parmesan and crispy shallots, if using.
• Heat the oil and butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it reaches 220 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
• Reduce the heat to low, add the shallots, and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, until they are a rich golden brown. The temperature should stay below 260 degrees F. Stir the shallots occasionally to make sure they brown evenly. Remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon, drain well, and spread out to cool on paper towels. Once they have dried and crisped, they can be stored at room temperature, covered, for several days.

POTATO-BASIL FRITTATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a 10-inch ovenproof omelet pan over medium-low heat. Add the potatoes and saute them for 10 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned and cooked through, turning often. Melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter in a small dish in the microwave.
• Meanwhile, whisk the eggs in a very large bowl, then stir in the ricotta, Gruyere, milk, melted butter, salt, pepper and basil. Combine the flour and baking powder in a small bowl and stir into the egg mixture.
• Pour the egg mixture over the potatoes and place the pan in the center of the oven. Bake the frittata for 50 to 60 minutes, until it is puffed and browned on top and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve hot or warm.

POTATO BASIL PUREE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and fill a bowl with ice water. Add the basil leaves to the boiling water and cook for exactly 15 seconds. Remove the basil with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge the leaves into the ice water to set the bright green color. Drain and set aside.
• Peel the potatoes and cut them in quarters. Add the potatoes to the same pot of boiling water and return to a boil. Cook the potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes, until very tender. Drain well, return to the saucepan, and steam over low heat until any remaining water evaporates.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the half-and-half and Parmesan cheese until the cream simmers. Place the basil in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and puree. Add the hot cream mixture and process until smooth.
• With a handheld mixer with the beater attachment, beat the hot potatoes in the pot until they are broken up. Slowly add the hot basil cream, the salt, and pepper and beat until smooth. If the potatoes need to be reheated, cover and cook gently over low heat for a few minutes. Pour into a serving bowl, sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese, season to taste, and serve hot.