Creamy Potato Basil Puree Recipe: Ina Garten’s Magic Touch
Silky smooth potato basil purée by Ina Garten delivers a luxurious side dish that elevates any dinner table.
Her classic French-inspired technique brings restaurant-quality magic to home cooking.
Rich, velvety potatoes blend seamlessly with fragrant fresh basil, creating a sublime accompaniment.
Creamy textures mingle with herbaceous notes that dance across your palate.
Butter and cream provide indulgent richness to this simple yet sophisticated recipe.
The blend of simple ingredients creates something truly extraordinary.
Dive into this elegant dish that promises to impress even the most discerning dinner guests.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Calories: 250 kcal
Servings: 6
Shopping List for Ina Garten Potato Basil Puree
For Potato Base:
Russet Potatoes: Starchy superheroes that create a luxurious, silky foundation with incredible creamy texture.
Salt: Magical seasoning that awakens the potato's natural earthy flavors and balances the entire dish.
For Herb and Dairy Enhancement:
Fresh Basil Leaves: Vibrant green herb that infuses a bright, peppery summer essence into the creamy mixture.
Half-and-Half: Luxurious dairy that delivers rich, velvety smoothness and incredible depth to the puree.
Parmesan Cheese: Nutty, sharp cheese that adds complex umami undertones and a subtle salty kick.
For Seasoning:
Black Pepper: Warm, spicy condiment that provides gentle heat and rounds out the potato's mellow profile.
Tools You’ll Need for Ina Garten Potato Basil Puree
Large pot: Essential for boiling water and cooking potatoes.
Slotted spoon: Perfect for removing basil leaves and potatoes from boiling water.
Bowl of ice water: Crucial for stopping basil from cooking and preserving its color.
Food processor: Key for creating smooth basil cream.
Small saucepan: Needed to heat half-and-half and Parmesan cheese.
Handheld mixer or potato masher: Great for creating creamy potato texture.
Serving bowl: Ideal for presenting the final potato basil purée.
Steps to Make Ina Garten Potato Basil Puree Smoothly
Potato Basil Symphony
Herb Blanching Ritual A quick dance of basil leaves in boiling water, followed by an ice bath, preserves their vibrant emerald essence. This technique locks in the fresh, verdant flavor and stunning color.
Potato Transformation Peel and quarter potatoes, then boil until they surrender their firmness. After draining, return them to the pot, allowing residual heat to whisper away any lingering moisture.
Creamy Basil Elixir Warm half-and-half with Parmesan, creating a luxurious base. Blend blanched basil into a silky puree, then marry it with the heated cream mixture until perfectly harmonized.
Whipped Potato Canvas Crush the tender potatoes into a smooth landscape. Fold in the basil cream, seasoning with salt and pepper, transforming the mixture into a velvety, aromatic masterpiece.
Elegant Presentation Transfer the puree to a serving dish, crown with a sprinkle of Parmesan, and adjust flavors to personal preference. Serve immediately, allowing the herbal warmth to enchant your guests.
How to Tweak Ina Garten Potato Basil Puree with Ease
Blanch basil quickly to lock in vibrant green color and fresh flavor without losing delicate herb essence.
Steam potatoes after boiling to remove excess moisture, ensuring ultra-smooth and light puree consistency.
Swap basil with fresh rosemary, thyme, or chives to create exciting flavor variations that match different main dishes.
Experiment with different dairy options like heavy cream, whole milk, or even Greek yogurt to adjust richness and tang according to personal preference.
Prepare potato puree up to 2 hours in advance, keeping warm in a covered dish over low heat or in a slow cooker, stirring occasionally to maintain creamy texture.
Serving Up Ina Garten Potato Basil Puree Like a Star
Garnish with Green Delight: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves or finely chopped chives on top for a vibrant pop of color and extra herbaceous flavor.
Pair with Protein Perfection: Serve alongside roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or seared steak to create a balanced and elegant meal that complements the creamy potato puree.
Create Rustic Presentation: Transfer the puree to a beautiful ceramic dish or rustic serving platter to enhance the visual appeal and make the side dish feel more special and inviting.
Add Textural Contrast: Top with toasted pine nuts or crispy breadcrumbs to introduce a delightful crunch that balances the smooth, creamy potato texture.
Save & Reheat: Ina Garten Potato Basil Puree Storage Tips
Plan Ahead for Freshness: Prepare this potato basil purée up to 2 days before serving, storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a saucepan with a splash of extra half-and-half to restore its creamy texture.
Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled purée to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top. Keep frozen for up to 1 month, sealing tightly to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Smart Portion Control: Divide the purée into individual serving containers for quick weeknight side dishes. These single-serve portions make meal prep a breeze and prevent unnecessary waste.
Maximize Flavor Retention: Cover the surface of stored potato purée with plastic wrap directly touching the food to prevent air exposure and maintain its vibrant green color and fresh taste.
Ina Garten’s potato basil purée delivers creamy comfort with fresh herb elegance. Smooth potato perfection combines classic French technique and garden-fresh ingredients, promising delightful flavors you will savor to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
2 lbs (907 g) Yukon Gold or white boiling potatoes, large
¾ cup (180 ml) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus extra for serving
1 cup (240 ml) half-and-half
2 tsps kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Basil Preparation: Blanch basil leaves in salted boiling water for 15 seconds, immediately transfer to ice bath, then drain and set aside.
Potato Processing: Peel and quarter potatoes, boil in same water for 20-25 minutes until tender, then drain and return to pot to steam off excess moisture.
Cream Infusion: Warm half-and-half with Parmesan in a saucepan until simmering, creating a rich, flavorful base.
Basil Cream Creation: Purée blanched basil in food processor, gradually incorporate hot cream and Parmesan until smooth and silky.
Potato Transformation: Mash potatoes using handheld mixer, then gently fold in basil cream, seasoning with salt and pepper until achieving a luxurious, creamy texture.
Final Presentation: Transfer to serving dish, sprinkle with additional Parmesan, and serve immediately while piping hot, showcasing the vibrant herb-infused side dish.
Notes
Blanch with Precision: Quickly blanch basil for exactly 15 seconds to preserve its vibrant green color and prevent wilting without losing flavor intensity.
Potato Preparation Matters: Cut potatoes into uniform quarter-sized pieces to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
Moisture Management: Allow potatoes to steam after draining to eliminate excess water, ensuring a creamy, smooth puree without wateriness.
Temperature Technique: Warm cream and Parmesan gently before incorporating into basil purée to create a seamless, silky integration of flavors.
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.
Sophia Rivera
Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Education
Austin Community College
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.