This Leek Mashed Potatoes recipe is a simple yet flavorful twist on a classic side dish. Creamy potatoes are cooked alongside tender leeks, creating a deliciously smooth and savory mash. With just a touch of butter and seasoning, the natural flavors of the leeks and potatoes shine through, making it a perfect accompaniment to any meal. This dish is easy to prepare and adds a subtle, aromatic depth to your traditional mashed potatoes, making it a family favorite for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
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How to clean leeks?
Cleaning leeks can be a bit tricky since dirt and sand can get trapped between their layers. To properly clean leeks, cut off the dark green tops, slice the leeks into thin half-moon shapes, and place them in a bowl of cold water. Swish the leeks around to loosen any dirt or sand. Let the leeks sit for a few minutes to allow any grit to settle to the bottom of the bowl. Then, lift the leeks out of the water with a slotted spoon or your hands and rinse under running water to remove any remaining dirt or sand. Finally, drain the leeks in a colander and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
What kind of potatoes are best to use in this recipe?
For mashed potatoes, starchy potatoes are generally recommended as they break down well and create a nice, fluffy texture. Russet potatoes (sometimes called Idaho potatoes) are a good choice due to their high starch content. Yukon Gold potatoes are another good option for mashing. They are slightly less starchy than Russets, but they have a creamy texture and a buttery flavour which can enhance the overall taste of the dish. You can use different types of potatoes, but starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold are the best for achieving a light and fluffy texture.
Ingredients for Leek Mashed Potatoes
- Potatoes: A starchy, versatile vegetable that serves as the creamy, comforting base for this dish. Potatoes add a hearty texture and mild flavor that pairs well with a variety of ingredients.
- Leeks: A member of the onion family, leeks have a subtle, sweet flavor that adds a delicate onion-like taste to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor without overpowering it.
- Butter: Rich and creamy, butter adds a smooth texture and a delicious, indulgent flavor to the mashed potatoes, making them velvety and satisfying.
- Salt: An essential seasoning that enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients, bringing out the savory notes in the dish.
- Black Pepper: A warming spice that adds a hint of mild heat and a subtle depth to the dish, complementing the other flavors perfectly.
How to Make Leek Mashed Potatoes
- For the potatoes: Add potatoes to cold, salted water and cook for 10 - 12 minutes or until halfway cooked.
- For the leeks: Add them to potatoes and cook additional 8 - 10 minutes or until both vegetables are fork tender and cooked through.
- Add butter: Drain leeks and potatoes and return to the same pot. Add butter and carefully mash with potato masher or a fork. Season with salt and black pepper and serve.
Recipe Variations
- Creamy Leek Mashed Potatoes: For an even creamier texture, add a splash of warm cream, milk, or half-and-half while mashing the potatoes and leeks. This will give the dish a richer, more luxurious consistency.
- Cheesy Leek Mashed Potatoes: Stir in grated cheese like cheddar, Parmesan, or Gruyère after mashing the potatoes. The cheese will melt into the mixture, adding a savory depth and creamy texture.
- Garlic Leek Mashed Potatoes: Sauté a few cloves of minced garlic in the butter before adding it to the potatoes and leeks. This will infuse the dish with a rich, garlicky flavor that pairs beautifully with the leeks.
- Herbed Leek Mashed Potatoes: Stir in chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill after mashing. The herbs will add a burst of fresh flavor and brighten up the dish.
- Leek and Potato Colcannon: For an Irish-inspired variation, stir in some cooked, chopped kale or cabbage along with the leeks. This turns the dish into a version of colcannon, a traditional Irish mashed potato dish.
- Bacon and Leek Mashed Potatoes: Cook and crumble some bacon, then stir it into the mashed potatoes and leeks for a smoky, savory twist. You can also use the bacon drippings to sauté the leeks for extra flavor.
- Roasted Leek Mashed Potatoes: Instead of boiling the leeks with the potatoes, try roasting them in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil until caramelized. Then mash them with the potatoes for a deeper, sweeter flavor.
- Mustard Leek Mashed Potatoes: Stir in a teaspoon or two of Dijon mustard after mashing the potatoes. This will add a tangy, slightly spicy flavor that complements the sweetness of the leeks.
- Truffle Leek Mashed Potatoes: For an indulgent touch, drizzle a small amount of truffle oil over the mashed potatoes before serving. The earthy, aromatic flavor of the truffle oil pairs beautifully with the leeks.
- Vegan Leek Mashed Potatoes: Replace the butter with olive oil or vegan butter to make the dish vegan-friendly. You can also add a splash of plant-based milk for extra creaminess.
Leek Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes peeled and cubed
- 4 leeks sliced
- 40 g butter or to taste
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Optional, for garnish:
- 1 green onion thinly sliced
Instructions
- For the potatoes: Add potatoes to cold, salted water and cook for 10 - 12 minutes or until halfway cooked.
- For the leeks: Add them to potatoes and cook additional 8 - 10 minutes or until both vegetables are fork tender and cooked through.
- Add butter: Drain leeks and potatoes and return to the same pot. Add butter and carefully mash with potato masher or a fork. Season with salt and black pepper. Garnish with green onion and serve.
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