Mashed Potatoes Pears And Leeks Recipes

MASHED POTATOES, PEARS AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Brush 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish with margarine. Steam half of potatoes and pears until very tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer to large bowl; cover to keep warm. Repeat steaming with remaining potatoes and pears. Empty pot. Return all potatoes and pears to pot. Add 6 tablespoons margarine; mash mixture well. Season with salt and pepper.
• Melt 2 tablespoons margarine in large skillet. Add leeks; sauté until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Mix half of leeks into potato mixture; transfer to prepared dish. Top with remaining leeks. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm uncovered in 350°F oven 25 minutes.)

LEEK MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Put them into a large pot of cold water. Add a big pinch of salt and put the pot over high heat. When it comes to a boil, cook until the potatoes are just cooked through, about 20 minutes.
• While the potatoes are cooking, slice the leeks into small pieces and thoroughly wash to remove any dirt. Put a medium skillet over medium-low heat and add 2 tablespoons butter. When the butter is melted, add the leeks and season with salt and pepper. Cook the leeks until they are very soft, being careful not to let them color or burn, about 20 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes in a colander. Then put the potatoes back into the pot and let the potatoes dry out a bit while you finish the leeks.
• In a small pot over low heat, add the milk, the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, garlic and thyme and warm it up. Strain the garlic and thyme from the warm milk and stir the milk into the potatoes using a wooden spoon. Mash with a potato masher, breaking up the big lumps. Stir in the melted leeks, taste and season with salt and pepper. Reserve 2 cups for another use if desired, such as the Round 2 Recipe Thanksgiving Pie. Cover the rest and keep warm until ready to serve.

MASHED POTATOES WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Season generously with salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the potatoes are very tender but not falling apart, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks, thyme and rosemary. Cook, stirring, until the leeks soften, 12 to 15 minutes; season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Drain the potatoes and return to the pot over low heat; cook until any excess water evaporates, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining 1½ sticks butter, reserving 1 tablespoon for topping, and mash with a potato masher until smooth and the butter has melted. Gradually mash in ½ cup milk and ½ teaspoon salt until creamy, adding up to ¼ cup more milk as needed. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the cooked leeks.
• Transfer the potatoes to a bowl; top with the remaining butter before serving.

MASHED SWEET POTATOES AND PEARS

Steps:

• Place the pears, wine, and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn heat to medium-low and simmer until pears are soft, about 5-10 minutes. Remove pears from wine and reserve.
• Place the sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to potatoes to steam dry for a minute or two.
• Stir the reserved pears, evaporated milk, vanilla, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the sweet potatoes and mash until smooth. Transfer to a serving dish and serve hot.

LEEK AND GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• In 3-quart saucepan, place potatoes, leek, garlic, salt and broth. Cover and heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer covered 20 to 25 minutes or until tender (do not drain). Mash potato mixture with potato masher or electric mixer on low speed.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/4 cup whipping cream and the butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted. Add cream mixture to potato mixture; continue mashing until potatoes are light and fluffy. Add additional heated whipping cream for desired consistency. Stir in chives.