Description
Parsnip puree elevates winter comfort with Ina Garten’s signature elegance. Silky smooth and rich with butter, this classic French-inspired side dish brings creamy sophistication to any seasonal meal you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) parsnips, scrubbed and sliced 0.75-inch thick
Seasoning:
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Finishing Ingredient:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter, diced
Instructions
- Cleanse and prepare the parsnips by thoroughly washing and trimming their ends, then slice them into uniform, roughly 2-inch (5 cm) segments to ensure even cooking.
- Place the parsnip segments in a medium-sized pot, sprinkle of salt, and completely submerge them with cold water, ensuring they are fully covered by about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of liquid.
- Position the pot on high heat, cover with a lid, and bring the water to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce the temperature to a gentle simmer.
- Allow the parsnips to cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, periodically testing their tenderness by piercing with a sharp knife – they should yield easily without resistance.
- Carefully extract the parsnips using a slotted spoon, transferring them directly into a food processor fitted with a steel blade, and reserve approximately of the cooking liquid.
- Gradually introduce the reserved cooking liquid into the food processor, pulsing intermittently to create a smooth yet slightly textured purée.
- Incorporate cold, diced butter and freshly ground black pepper, blending until the mixture achieves a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Taste the purée and fine-tune the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired, ensuring a balanced and rich flavor profile.
- Serve the parsnip purée immediately while warm, presenting it as an elegant and comforting side dish.
Notes
- Snag Peak-Freshness Roots: Select crisp, unblemished parsnips that feel heavy and firm when held, guaranteeing maximum flavor and smooth texture for your purée.
- Slice with Strategic Precision: Chop parsnips into uniform ¾-inch pieces, ensuring consistent cooking and preventing uneven softness during preparation.
- Liquid Gold Preservation: Carefully collect and retain cooking water, which concentrates natural parsnip essence and helps create luxuriously creamy consistency.
- Strategic Blending Technique: Process ingredients gradually, adding reserved liquid incrementally to control texture and prevent over-mixing.
- Flavor Finishing Finesse: Taste and adjust seasoning after puréeing, allowing subtle nuances of parsnip to shine before introducing salt, pepper, and butter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings
- Calories: 158 kcal
- Sugar: 6.95 g
- Sodium: 209 mg
- Fat: 5.98 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.73 g
- Carbohydrates: 26.17 g
- Fiber: 7.15 g
- Protein: 1.82 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg