10 Tasty Alternatives to Basic Mashed Potatoes
We hacked everything from our coffeemakers to waffle irons in 2014, so isn’t about time that we disrupted the mashed potato game a bit? Shake up your Thanksgiving side dish selection with this outstanding collection of 10 alternatives to the usual mash. Whether you’re tired of plain potatoes or looking to cut down on carbs, we’ve got you covered. Trust us, you won’t miss starchy potatoes one bit.
1. Celery Root With Herbed Beets: You’ll definitely want to dig into this bowl of indulgent-yet-healthy pureed celery root. With herbal, earthy roasted beets on top, it’s basically like getting two sides in one. (via Camille Styles)
2. Smokey Butternut Squash Mash: Well-seasoned butternut squash is a great stand-in for both mashed white potatoes and sweet potato casserole. (via Rachel Cooks)
3. Pumpkin Polenta With Bacon-Maple Gravy: Creamy, pumpkin-enhanced polenta is terrific enough on its own, but we certainly wouldn’t skip the opportunity to add a touch of bacon to the mix. The porcine bechamel-meets-veloute (remember those mother sauces we told you about?) poured over top is obscenely good. (via Boulder Locavore)
4. Whipped Rutabaga With Crispy Shallots: The contrast of crispy, caramelized shallots and silky, whipped rutabaga is out of this world. Feel free to prep the puree a few days in advance, and simply reheat it just before dinner. (via Nerds With Knives)
5. Three Healthy Alternatives to Mashed Potatoes: Take your pick of these three outstanding potato substitutes. It’s tough to choose between celery root-sage, creamy cauliflower and parsnip-carrot mash, but each is easy and distinct enough that you can always just go ahead serve ’em all. (via Brit + Co)
6. Cheesy Pesto White Bean Mash: Cheesy pesto in a mash? Yes, please. Talk about a terrific way to incorporate a little extra protein into your holiday meal. (via Amuse Your Bouche)
7. Millet Grits With Goat Cheese and Chives: Tangy goat cheese and chives transform otherwise average millet grits into a stunning side and scrumptious whole-grain option. Who knew corn wasn’t the only grain in the grits game? (via A Sage Amalgam)
8. Brussels Sprouts Puree: A well-dressed Brussels sprouts salad tops a verdant puree made from the very same veg. It’s a delicious double dose of cruciferous vegetable action in one dish. (via Sweet Sour Savory)
9. Sweet Corn Polenta With Broccoli Pesto: Fresh corn polenta is a sweet side that you simply must try. A swirl of non-traditional pesto finishes things off gorgeously. (via Five and Spice)
10. Bacon and Smoked Cauliflower Mash: Upgrade your cauliflower mash with a touch of bacon and smoked gouda to create an eye-rollingly good dish that just so happens to be low-carb. (via I Breathe… I’m Hungry…)
Will you pass on the potatoes this year and serve up one of these alternatives instead? Or are the usual mashers a non-negotiable tradition on your holiday table? Let’s talk below.
