Garlic Mashers (Mashed Potatoes) with Salsa Verde - 52 Holiday Side DIshes

I know I am coming late to the party but I recently "Discovered" Salsa Verde... A slightly sweet, hinted garlic and savory onion Salsa made with Tomatillas.  And it is wonderful!

Salsa has become the number one condiment in the United States recently, surpassing ketchup and no sign of slowing growth.  The variety of salsas is nearly endless with individual modifications.  What I have here is a classic version of the Verde.

I am adding this to about anything...

Including Mashed Potatoes.  At a recent holiday meal I was even bold enough to mix the entire serving dish of potatoes with the salsa.  Colorful ribbons of the green salsa throughout the contrasting bright white of the potatoes makes for a wonderful dramatic presentation. But with all things, it comes down to tastes.

I simply LOVE THIS COMBINATION!

And once I could convince my guests to give it a try, they all agreed... A new permanent addition to my big holiday meals!

And a fun easy way to spruce up a weeknight side dish.

ENJOY!

 OK... Here's what I did...

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes for Company

Ingredients

• 3 Pounds Russet Potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
• Big Pot of Salted Boiling Water
• 2 TBS Salt
• 1 Stick (8 TBS) Butter
• 2 TBS Garlic Powder
• 2 TBS (PLUS 1/4 Cup extra for Garnish) Chives... Garlic Chives if you can find them
• 3/4 Cup Sour Cream
• 1 TBS Fresh Ground Black pepper
• Additional Half and Half to reach desired smoothness

Cooking Directions

1. In a large pot of boiling water, add the Potato cubes and cook uncovered until the cubes cut with no resistance, about 15 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and drain. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer. Begin to mix with the paddle attachment. Add the butter one TBS at a time/ Add the Sour Cream and spices. Continue to mix for 5 minutes. Add additional Half and Half to reach desired smoothness.
3. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish generously with additional chives
4. Serve warm and ENJOY!

Salsa Verde

Ingredients

• 6 Medium Tomatillos, Husks removed and washed, end tips cut off
• 5 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 Small/Medium Onion, Chopped
• 2 Large Jalapenos, Stems, seeds and white membrane removed, Rough Dice
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• 2 TBS Honey (more if needed to taste, can add sugar also)
• 1/4 Cup Chopped Cilantro

Cooking Directions

1. Place the Tomatillos, Garlic, Onion, Jalapeno and Sea Salt in a medium size sauce pan. Add just enough water to cover and heat to simmer over medium high heat.
2. Simmer until the Tomatillos have softened and a knife can be inserted freely... About 6-8 minutes. Be careful not to overcook.
3. Drain the water and transfer to a blender or the small bowl of a food processor. Add the Honey and the Cilantro leaves and Pulse/blend until smooth, BUT you can stills see small chunks of Tomatillo and Onion and flecks of Cilantro.
4. Taste. Adjust Honey, Salt and any additional seasonings you might prefer (Cayenne Pepper Spice if extra heat is needed)'
5. Serve room temperature or chilled as a condiment and ENJOY!

And Finally...

Let's Combine

Garlic Mashers (Mashed Potatoes) with Salsa Verde

Ingredients

• 1 Large Family Size serving of Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• 1 Cup serving of Salsa Verde Divided
• Slivered Basil Leaves for Garnish

Cooking Directions

1. Plop the Mashed Potatoes in a large serving bowl.
2. Add half of the Salsa Verde and fold to mix (the idea is to have ribbons of Salsa throughout the potatoes, So, mix gently and do not over mix.
3. Add remaining Salsa Verde on the top of the potatoes in ribboned chunks.
4. Garnish with something bright green for extra color... Serve Warm and ENJOY!

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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Ways to Cook Side Dish Recipes"!!!

Sure the meat gets all the glory but real cooks know it's the spread... the specialty Side Dishes that makes a meal rise or fall. Here's a few of my favorite recipes that will help to create that illusive COMPLETE MENU!

LOTS of Potato Sides, Vegetable Sides, Specialty Salads, Bread and MORE!

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