Parismash Recipes

PARIS MASH (RICH & CREAMY MASHED POTATO)

Steps:

• Scrub potatoes clean.
• Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until the potatoes are very soft (depends on size).
• Alternatively, peel then chop into 2.5cm / 1" cubes (Note 4), cook 12 to 15 minutes until soft.
• Drain potatoes and return empty pot to stove.
• Using tea towels to handle the hot potatoes, peel them using a small knife (skin should slide off pretty easily).
• Mash the potatoes using one of these methods: Press them through a potato ricer or a food mill / grinder fitted with the finest disc, or mash in the pot using a potato masher (preferably with round holes, yields a similar result to potato ricer).
• Pro step: Then pass the potato through a drum sieve for 100% smooth mashed potato, like you get at restaurants. I do not do this (read in post)
• Turn stove on low and stir mashed potato for 1 minute (evaporate excess water).
• Add a few cubes of butter and a little splash of milk. Stir until butter melts and is incorporated.
• Repeat until all butter is used up, using milk to adjust the consistency to your desired taste towards the end. It should be soft and creamy, almost pourable.
• Season to taste with salt.
• Pour into serving bowl. Use a spoon to create swirls on the surface, top with small dollop of butter and a tiny sprinkle of parsley. Serve immediately!

JAZZED-UP PARSNIP MASH

Steps:

• Cut the parsnips into large, fairly evensized chunks: the skinny end will make one chunk, then either halve or quarter the bulky part lengthways, remove the core, and cut into similar-sized pieces.
• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil, tip in the parsnips and cook briskly for 10-15 minutes, half-covered, until tender but not slushy. Drain well, then return parsnips to the saucepan.
• Push the parsnips to one side and put the butter, spices and plenty of ground black pepper into the space. Return the saucepan to a very low heat and let the butter melt, the spices warm through and the parsnips continue to dry for a few minutes.
• Now add the milk and oil and mash the parsnips vigorously, until smooth. (They won't look as smooth as potato mash but a quick taste will tell you if there are any lumps left.) Adjust the seasoning, if necessary, and serve immediately.

PARIS-BREST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place a small pan containing about 2-3 cups of hot water onto the bottom of your oven ( directly onto the bottom of the oven) to generate steam. Lightly grease a large baking sheet with shortening and then dust lightly with flour. Use a 10 inch pan as a template and draw a 10 inch circle onto the flour dusted sheet using a toothpick. Set aside.
• Place the 4 eggs into a small measuring cup and mix with a fork to combine, set aside.
• Combine the milk, water, salt and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. When it comes to a full boil, add the flour all at once and stir to make a paste. Continue to stir over the heat for about 40 seconds until the paste dries a little. Remove from heat and place paste into a mixing bowl. Let cool about 4 minutes.
• With a mixer on low, mix the paste and slowly add the beaten eggs. Mix slowly but thoroughly until all of the eggs have been added. Place the paste into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch round decorating tip. Pipe the paste out onto the sheet pan following the 10 inch ring you outlined. Pipe a second ring around the inside next to this ring. Finally, pipe another ring on top of these two rings. Lightly paint the set of rings with the remaining 1 beaten egg and press the sliced almonds into the paste.
• Place in the oven on the lowest shelf and bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 20 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and bake about 12 minutes more or until brown. Remove form the oven and using a long serrated knife slice off the top half of the puffed ring. Remove any bits of raw dough on the inside of the ring. Replace the top and place back in the oven to crisp the dough, about 5 more minutes. Cool on a rack.
• To Make The Filling: Whip the pastry cream until smooth. Place the heavy cream into a bowl along with the vanilla and beat on high until soft peaks are formed. Add in the confectioners' sugar and beat a little more. Fold the pastry cream in with the whipped cream and transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe the cream mixture into the ring and then replace the top. If you wish, sprinkle with additional powdered sugar.

PARIS MASH

Steps:

• *I didn't want to fuss with peeling hot potatoes, so I peeled them before boiling. The recipe says boil them unpeeled and then peel while warm - suit yourself - I don't think I did any harm peeling them first.
• So, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, add a good tablespoon of salt, and add your potatoes, whole, peeled or unpeeled, and cook until you can poke a skewer or sharp knife through them with no resistance at all.
• Remove potatoes when cooked, and peel if necessary.
• Now, the recipe says to pass them, in batches, through a mouli or a potato ricer before beating in the heated milk, cream and butter with a wooden spoon - but I don't have a mouli or a ricer, and, if you don't have them either, move on to the next step!
• Use a potato masher to smash the potatoes down roughly.
• Combine the milk and cream in a jug and heat for about 1 minute on HIGH in the microwave.
• Now, using a wooden spoon, gradually beat in the hot liquid and the sliced butter, in turns, until well combined.
• Next comes the 'tricky bit'. To get it really smooth without the benefit of fancy equipment, you need to use a stick mixer - but if you overdo it, the potato will go gluey, so you have to be careful!
• Using an electric stick mixer, just stab into the potatoes about 4-6 times, moving the mixer to different positions - no more than about 15-20 seconds in all.
• Taste, add salt and pepper as required.
• Then stir briefly again to make sure the mash is beautifully smooth.
• Serve immediately.
• The Paris Mash will keep in the refrigerator for a day or two and it re-heats very happily in the microwave.
• Perfect served with your favourite casserole.