Broccoli Potato Puree Recipes

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with enough water to come 2 inches up the sides of the pot. Set a steamer rack in the pot, cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the potato chunks and cook until they are very tender, about 18 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a medium bowl and mash until smooth.
• Place broccoli into steamer rack and steam over medium heat until the broccoli is very tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer the broccoli to the bowl of a food processor. Add the broth, cream cheese, and Parmesan. Process until the broccoli is pureed and almost smooth.
• Stir the broccoli puree into the mashed potato and blend well. Season the puree to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.

Steps:

• Cut broccoli into flowerets. Peel the stalks and cut into 1/4-inch slices.
• Place the stalks and potatoes in a saucepan and cover with the water. Bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes uncovered. (The broccoli will not stay green if covered.)
• Add the broccoli flowerets and cook 9 minutes more, uncovered. Drain.
• Place the broccoli and potatoes in the bowl of a food processor or blender and process into a fine puree. This should take about 45 seconds. It may be necessary to use a rubber spatula to scrape the ingredients down the side of the bowl during the pureeing.
• In a skillet or saucepan, warm the butter and cream and add the puree. Season with several gratings of nutmeg and with salt and pepper to taste. Warm the mixture over a medium flame, mixing well, and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap sweet potatoes individually in foil. Roast until tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Cool and peel. Puree in processor until smooth. Measure 3 cups puree and transfer to microwave-safe bowl. Stir in mustard. Season with salt. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Boil vinegar in small saucepan until reduced to ` cup, about 8 minutes. Stir in soy sauce. Remove from heat.
• Cook broccoli in pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Drain; set aside. Cook bacon in medium skillet over medium heat until edges are crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. DO AHEAD: Reduction and broccoli can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Process mustard seeds in spice grinder until coarsely ground. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Sprinkle ground seeds over top of fish. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish, mustard side down, and cook until brown and just opaque in center, about 3 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, rewarm puree in microwave until heated through. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in another large skillet. Add broccoli and bacon; sauté until heated through. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide broccoli, fish, and puree among plates. Drizzle with balsamic reduction and serve.
• *Chinese broccoli is also called gai lan or Chinese kale; it's available at Asian markets. Broccoli rabe is an Italian leafy green vegetable with scattered clusters of broccoli-like florets; you'll find it at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot over medium heat and add the onion and optional leeks. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and the chopped garlic and cook, stirring, for another minute, until fragrant. Add the potatoes, bouquet garni, water, and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Add the broccoli, turn the heat up slightly to bring back to a boil, then reduce the heat again and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, until the broccoli is thoroughly tender but still bright. Remove the bouquet garni.
• Blend the soup either with a hand blender, in batches in a blender (cover the top with a towel and hold it down to avoid hot splashes), or through a food mill fitted with the fine blade. For a silky texture, strain through a medium strainer set over a bowl, using a pestle or the bottom of a ladle to push the soup through. Return to the pot, taste and adjust salt, add a generous amount of freshly ground pepper, and heat through.
• Lightly toast the bread and rub with a cut clove of garlic. Top each slice with a spoonful of Parmesan and heat through in a toaster oven or under a broiler, being careful to watch closely, until the cheese melts. Serve the soup, topping each bowl with 2 croutons.