Chestnut and Potato Purée

Ingredients for Chestnut and Potato Purée

• 1.4kg medium yellow-fleshed potatoes such as Yukon Gold (about 8 medium)

• 1 stick (110g ) unsalted butter

• 675g bottled peeled roasted whole chestnuts (450g)

• 0.9L t half-and-half

• 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf

• 2 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 3/4 teaspoons black pepper

• heavy-duty foil

• a potato ricer or a food mill fitted with medium disk

How to make Chestnut and Potato Purée

Preheat oven to 232°C.

Prick each potato in a few places with a fork, then divide potatoes into 3 groups and wrap each group in foil. Bake in oven until tender when pierced with a sharp knife, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

While potatoes bake, melt butter in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, then cook chestnuts, stirring, 5 minutes. Add half-and-half, bay leaf, salt, and pepper and gently simmer, covered, until chestnuts are very tender and cream is infused with bay leaf, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard bay leaf, then transfer chestnuts with a slotted spoon to a blender. Add enough cooking liquid to purée chestnuts easily, then purée until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Return purée to pot with remaining liquid and stir together. Keep warm over very low heat.

Holding them with a kitchen towel to protect your hands, carefully unwrap and peel potatoes, a few at a time, and push through ricer into chestnut mixture. Stir to combine (mixture will continue to thicken) and season to taste.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.