Broccoli, Leek & Sweet Potato Mash

Fresh steamed vegetables mashed together with olive oil and seasonings is a delicious, easy and nutritious side dish. Perfect for weeknight dinners and elegant enough for entertaining on weekends, mashed vegetables provide endless combinations. Tonight I made a mash with broccoli, leek and sweet potatoes. The result? Amazing. Mashed vegetables are wonderful. Just use the freshest, in-season, local, organic/sustainably grown ingredients. You really can taste the difference.

I love this combination but you can adjust based on what you have on hand or what is in season. I like cauliflower, red bell pepper and potato with cheese or try my Spicy Fava Bean Mash. Other options are beets and parsnips, roasted root vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes & peas, or mashed potatoes, rutabagas & parsnips. What combinations would you create?

Broccoli, Leek & Sweet Potato Mash
1 head broccoli. large woody ends removed and broccoli cut into florets
1 large sweet potato
1 large leek, cleaned and chopped (white and pale green parts)
extra virgin olive oil
pinch dried red pepper flakes
sea salt
freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 cup shredded parmigiano reggiano cheese
2 tbsp Italian parsley, chopped

Add 1 inch of water to large stockpot and bring to a boil. Add steamer insert (if available). Add larch pinch salt and broccoli to pot, either in the steamer or directly into pot. Steam for 5-8 minutes or until soft. Remove from heat and drain.

Prick sweet potato all over with a fork. Place on a microwave safe plate and microwave for 8-10 minutes or until really soft.

Warm 1 tbsp olive oil in skillet over medium high heat. Add leeks and saute until soft and beginning to caramelize. Add the leeks, including the olive oil, to a food processor along with the broccoli and potato flesh. Add pinch each red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper. Process until as mashed as you like. I like mine with a bit of texture but keep going if you want a smoother mash. Add 1-2 tbsp olive oil and process for a couple of seconds. Add mash to skillet and simmer until hot. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Sprinkle cheese and parsley over top and serve immediately.

It is "Something Mashed" week at Food Network's Sensational Sides roundup. Check out the other delicious sounding recipes from my blogger friends. Do you have a favorite mashed recipe? Feel free to share in the comments section or link to your blog if you have one. 

Napa Farmhouse 1885: Broccoli, Leek and Sweet Potato Mash
Red or Green: Spicy Fava Bean Mash
Jeanette's Healthy Living: Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes with Truffle Oil
Weelicious: Vegan Whipped Coconut Sweet Potatoes
Cooking With Elise: Brown Sugar and Spice Banana Bread
Devour: 5 Fresh Takes on Hummus
Virtually Homemade: Smashed Cauliflower Gratin with Goat Cheese
Domesticate Me: Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Pomegranate-Pistachio Guacamole
Bacon and Souffle: The Best and Smoothest Hummus
The Sensitive Epicure: Trinxat (Pan-Fried Mashed Potato Cake with Swiss Chard)
FN Dish: More to Mash (Side Dish Recipes)

best,

diane
napa farmhouse 1885

red or green?
california girl in taos
MoseyLove!

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