The Luxe Ina Garten Rich Celery Root Puree Recipe Tonight

Celery root purée surprises with its delicate flavor and silky consistency.

Slightly sweet and earthy, the vegetable blends smoothly into a light and creamy mash.

It’s an elegant upgrade from traditional potato sides.

Roasting or boiling the root unlocks its full flavor potential.

Serve it with anything from pork to seafood for a restaurant-level plate.

Few ingredients deliver this much sophistication.

Why Celery Root Purée Deserves the Spotlight

• Elevate Your Comfort Food: This celery root puree transforms a humble vegetable into a luxurious, creamy side dish that feels like a gourmet restaurant experience right at home.
• Master a Professional Cooking Technique: The recipe teaches you how to perfectly sauté, simmer, and purée ingredients, giving you professional-level cooking skills with simple, straightforward steps.
• Creamy Texture Meets Bold Flavor: The combination of butter, chicken stock, and cream creates an incredibly smooth, rich puree that balances the earthy, slightly nutty taste of celery root with a velvety texture that melts in your mouth.
• Quick and Foolproof Preparation: With just one pot and a food processor, you can create an impressive side dish in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or elegant dinner parties.

Everything You Need for Earthy Elegance

Main Ingredients:

Celery Root (Celeriac): A knobby, rough-textured root vegetable with a subtle celery flavor, perfect for creating creamy and elegant purées. Choose firm, heavy roots without soft spots or excessive blemishes.

Chicken Stock: Provides rich, savory depth and helps tenderize the celery root during cooking. Homemade or high-quality store-bought stock works best.

Dairy and Fats:

Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté the celery root for initial flavor development. Use unsalted butter for better control of seasoning.

Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, silky texture and enhances the overall smoothness of the puree. Full-fat cream provides the best results.

Seasonings:

Salt: Enhances and balances the natural flavors of the ingredients. Use kosher or sea salt for best taste.

Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and complexity to the puree. Freshly ground pepper offers the most vibrant flavor.

Purée to Perfection with This Creamy Technique

Step 1: Prepare Celery Root

Grab a sharp chef’s knife and carefully peel the celery root. Cut each root in half, then place cut side down on the cutting board. Dice into neat half-inch cubes, removing any discolored or brown spots. Keep fingers safely away from the blade while chopping.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetable

Grab a heavy-bottomed pot and melt butter over medium-high heat. Toss in the diced celery root and stir gently, ensuring each piece gets coated with the golden butter. Sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Step 3: Simmer and Develop Flavors

• Chicken stock
• Heavy cream
• Salt
• Black pepper

Crank up the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, giving an occasional stir. The celery root should become incredibly tender.

Step 4: Create Silky Smooth Puree

Transfer the cooked mixture to a food processor with a steel blade. Blend in batches until the puree reaches an ultra-smooth, luxurious consistency. Work carefully to avoid splatters.

Step 5: Final Touch and Serving

Pour the puree back into the pot and warm gently over low heat. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. The puree should be rich, creamy, and well-seasoned. Serve piping hot as a decadent side dish.

Tips for a Silky, Savory Bite

• Select Pristine Roots: Grab celery roots that feel heavy, rock-solid, and free from blemishes or soft patches for maximum flavor intensity.
• Master the Peeling Technique: Wield a sharp chef's knife to strip away the gnarly exterior completely, ensuring no tough skin remains to disrupt the luxurious texture.
• Achieve Ultimate Tenderness: Boil or simmer the root until a fork glides through effortlessly, which guarantees a supremely smooth and creamy purée.
• Blend with Precision: Process the celery root in controlled batches to prevent overcrowding, creating a velvety consistency that feels like silk on your palate.
• Elevate with Seasoning: Layer in salt and freshly ground pepper boldly – the rich cream and butter need robust seasoning to transform this side dish from good to extraordinary.

Store and Serve Without Losing Luxury

• Freezer Preservation: Seal the puree in heavy-duty freezer bags, removing all air to prevent freezer burn. Label each bag with the date and contents. Freeze flat for maximum space efficiency and quick thawing. Consume within 2 months for optimal flavor and texture.
• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer cooled puree to glass containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain freshness. Place in the coldest section of the refrigerator, typically the back of the bottom shelf. Consume within 3-4 days for best taste and food safety.
• Reheating Technique: Warm slowly in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Add a splash of warm cream or chicken stock to restore creamy consistency. Stir until heated evenly and smooth, ensuring the puree reaches 165°F for food safety.

Add a Twist with Garlic or Gruyère

• Roasted Root Herb Fusion: Enhance the puree by adding roasted garlic and fresh thyme during the sautéing process for a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
• Creamy Truffle Infusion: Stir in a small amount of truffle oil or grated truffle just before serving to elevate the luxurious texture and add an earthy, sophisticated touch.
• Spicy Mediterranean Blend: Mix in some roasted red pepper flakes and a touch of smoked paprika during cooking to create a warm, vibrant version with a subtle kick of heat.
• Nutty Parmesan Boost: Fold in freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts after pureeing to introduce a rich, nutty dimension that complements the creamy base.

One Final Spoonful That Feels Like Fancy

Culinary masterpieces often emerge from unexpected ingredients, and Ina Garten’s celery root puree showcases pure elegance.

Silky smooth textures and rich flavors dance across palate landscapes, transforming humble root vegetables into gourmet experiences.

Sophisticated home cooks can elevate weeknight dinners with this luxurious side dish that whispers refined technique.

Sophisticated ingredients merge seamlessly, creating harmonious balance between rustic charm and modern culinary artistry.

Kitchen adventures beckon with this simple yet remarkable recipe that promises memorable dining moments.

Passionate epicureans will embrace this delectable dish – share its magic, spread culinary joy, spark conversations, and inspire fellow cooking enthusiasts to explore Garten’s delightful recipe.

Ina Garten Rich Celery Root Puree Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Smooth and luxurious Ina Garten’s celery root puree elevates simple vegetables into a gourmet experience. Creamy French-inspired techniques blend buttery richness with delicate earthy flavors you’ll savor at every elegant dinner.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 pounds (2.27 kilograms) celery root
• 1½ cups (360 milliliters) chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 1½ cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Fat/Cooking Ingredient:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Transform the celery root by carefully removing its rough exterior using a sharp chef’s knife, ensuring a clean surface. Halve each root and meticulously dice into uniform 0.5-inch (1.25 centimeters) cubes, discarding any discolored or bruised sections while maintaining careful hand positioning.
2. Select a substantial, thick-bottomed pot and melt unsalted butter over medium-high temperature. Introduce the diced celery root, stirring continuously to achieve an even, golden coating across each cube.
3. Reduce cooking temperature to medium-low, covering the pot to create a controlled steaming environment. Allow the vegetables to soften for approximately 10 minutes, developing rich flavor and tender consistency.
4. Pour in chicken stock, heavy cream, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Elevate heat momentarily to trigger boiling, then immediately lower to a gentle simmer. Cover and let the mixture develop for 15-20 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent potential scorching.
5. Transfer the tender vegetable mixture in strategic batches to a food processor equipped with a steel blade. Pulse and blend thoroughly until achieving an ultra-smooth, velvety texture with no remaining chunks.
6. Carefully return the puréed mixture to the original pot, gently reheating over low temperature. Taste critically and make final seasoning adjustments, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Serve immediately while maintaining optimal warmth and silky consistency.

Notes

• Peek carefully under the bumpy exterior for quality roots without blemishes or soft areas.
• Strip away the gnarly outer layer using a sharp chef’s knife, removing every bit of rough skin.
• Simmer the chunks gently until they practically melt when pierced with a fork.
• Break down the cooked pieces into small batches for ultra-creamy, velvety smoothness.
• Dial up the seasoning boldly since the rich dairy will balance any intense celery root sharpness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 114
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 358mg
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 36mg