Description
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
- 2 cups (480 ml) basil leaves, lightly packed, fresh
- 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.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg