Olive Oil Smashed Potatoes

Today I give you yummy mashed potatoes.

Everyone loves a good mound of mashed potatoes. As a kid I used to have fun playing "is there any sausage in my mash?" with my brother. Growing up we had a lot of very english style meals when my grandparents would often make us dinner during the weekdays, such as sausage + mash. We would entertain ourselves by putting a piece of sausage on our fork, then we would stick it in the mashed potatoes to cover it and make each other guess if there was any sausage in hiding in there.

These mashed potatoes are much better for you than the traditional ones that we all knew growing up. This is a simple recipe that's still comforting and very flavourful. It's a nice easy side to make during the week to have with your favourite protein...as for the sausage I think I've had my fill.

I personally like to pair this with almond-crusted baked chicken; a recipe that I have in the works for posting on the blog very soon. But you know potatoes really do go with anything.

The white pepper imparts a nice unique tang, but the mustard is really key to the awesome flavour of this dish. It's a delicious and nutritious way to jazz up your everyday mashed potatoes.

Olive Oil Smashed Potatoes

by Jennifer Trennum

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 20

Keywords: side gluten-free grain-free nut-free vegan vegetarian potatoes mustard

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Ingredients (yields appx. 3 cups)

• 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, skin on, cut into large chunks
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 white pepper

Instructions

Place cut potatoes in a large pot of cold water, cover and bring to a boil on high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until tender when pierced with a knife, about 15-20 minutes. Drain potatoes thoroughly, keeping them in the pot. Set pot aside.

Add 1/4 cup oil to the pot along with mustard, sea salt, and white pepper. Using a masher, lightly mash the potatoes until combined.

If potatoes cool down too much while mashing return to the burner over low heat. Serve warm.

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You'll just have to trust me on how good these taste, because their just really not the most photogeneic thing. I hope I did them justice though ;)

Hellooo dinner. Face plant.

Enjoy!

Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Some of the many reasons I'm loving summer right now:

• Outdoor farmers markets for fresh local produce
• Golf
• Outdoor patios
• Hiking and biking
• Grilled vegetables and fruit of all kinds. Peaches, bell peppers, pineapple, zucchini...

One of my go to sides for dinners as of late this summer has been bell peppers roasted on the grill. When it's done roasting we take it off the grill, wrap it up in some foil and let it sit for a minute to let it soak all the juices back in. Then it get's filled with a tablespoon or two of creamy goats cheese. Sometimes we also add fresh herbs like chopped basil. It's super tasty and perfectly light and satisfying on those hot muggy nights when you don't want to turn the oven or stove on.

Of course, we're talking about soup today because, well, frankly the weather has been a little off this week. One day it's hot and humid, the next it's cold, rainy and I'm back to wearing fleecy sweaters. Make up your mind already summer!

Roasted red peppers and fresh garden tomatoes are one of those things that pair together so well in this soup. It's a fairly simple recipe that can be made quickly for a weeknight supper. And if you're like me and like to be ultra organized you can cut down the prep time by roasting the peppers in advance. It's also excellent reheated the next day for a nutritious lunch.

Served with toasty whole grain bread this soup can surprise those that never new they were pepper lovers.

If you like creamy style soups, I would highly recommend finishing the dish off with a bit of goat cheese swirled into your bowl. Just like a twist on those stuffed roasted peppers. It's much healthier than cream and tastes just as good, if not better, without all the fat.

Roasted Red Pepper Soup gluten free (serves 6-8)

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Ingredients:

• 7 red bell peppers
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 large russet potato, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 can of no-sodium diced tomatoes
• Juice of 1 lemon
• chopped chives for garnish
• 1/4 cup goats cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. First, roast the peppers: cut the tops of the bell peppers off; discard seeds and membranes. Then, slice the peppers in half and flatten with the palm of your hand. Roast peppers on BBQ until black, remove and place in a large bowl; cover with saran wrap. Let sit for 15 minutes. Peel off blackened skins and chop. If you are looking for the oven method follow these instructions: How to Roast Bell Peppers.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, thyme, and oregano. Saute, stirring occasionally until the onions begin to soften and look translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add potato, bell peppers, broth, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to simmer until the potatoes are very tender, about 30 minutes.
4. Using an immersion hand blender or stand blender, puree the soup until it is very smooth. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste.
5. Ladle into bowls and serve hot with fresh snipped chives for garnish

**Note** If you are not vegan, try a tablespoon of goats cheese in the center of each bowl.