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Not a "pedestrian" potato recipe, Asian-Style Mashed Potatoes with Wasabi and Roasted Garlic get their delicious flavor from roasted garlic, wasabi, and sesame oil, and finished off with fresh chives or scallions, and a generous sprinkling of furikake! A perfect side dish for your Asian main...
Tamara Talks
It is easy to think of potatoes, and fortunately for men who have not much money it is easy to think of them with a certain safety. Potatoes are one of the last things to disappear, in times of war, which is probably why they should not be forgotten in times of peace.
~~ M.F.K. Fisher, How to Cook a Wolf
Do you throw your potatoes into a dark corner of your pantry and forget about them? I am guilty of allowing an entire bag of red or yukon gold potatoes to turn mushy, forgotten until the stench of rot greets me when I open the pantry door. Yuck!
I tend to focus on complex carbohydrates like barley, brown rice, farro, and quinoa, but potatoes really ought to find their way back into our meals as the weather cools, and we turn to heartier options.
We consider Friday nights to be "date night" even though that typically means a quiet dinner home alone with a special bottle of wine and music. I typically spend more money and more time on my menu - quite often preparing a 3 course meal. Last Friday, I had a hankering for potatoes.
These would be no ordinary potatoes. I wanted to do bamboo steamed fish and miso glazed beets and carrots, and I wanted my potatoes to complement the other two dishes. The Japanese flavor profile includes ingredients like ginger, sesame, garlic, miso, soy sauce, wasabi, etc. I decided to try doing Asian-style mashed potatoes. It was a WIN!
Making Asian-Style Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- potatoes - preferably new potatoes
- whole garlic bulb
- plain nonfat yogurt
- broth/stock
- wasabi paste
- soy sauce
- sesame oil
- furikake
- scallions
One of my favorite Japanese condiments is furikake seasoning. I do make furikake, but I keep a commercially prepared jar in my well-stocked pantry as well. Its traditional use is as a seasoning for rice. I figured the salty, nutty, earthy, slightly fishy flavors might really work on potatoes.
Always one to find new ways to use ingredients, I gave it a whirl. It. Just. Works. Ask the hubs! 😆 He is no fan of mashed potatoes. In fact, roasted potatoes are about the only way he'll eat them without complaint. He loves Asian-Style Mashed Potatoes with Wasabi and Roasted Garlic!
Steps
You'll find more specific instructions in the recipe card! Asian-Style Mashed Potatoes are loaded with umami flavor and pair beautifully with your Asian mains. And they're easy, vegetarian, and gluten free!
FAQ
Do I have to use "new potatoes?" No. I would, however, suggest peeling the potatoes prior to cooking them. It's up to you, but the more delicate skins of new potatoes add nice texture to the dish. If you're opposed to including skins, it's easier to use full-sized potatoes.
What type of potatoes are best to use? Again, this is a matter of personal preference. I like red or yukon potatoes when mashing them.
Can I substitute raw garlic and skip the roasting step? You can, but the extra step yields a milder, caramelized flavor that isn't matched by raw. Add raw minced garlic into the mash mixture if you choose to go that route. Note: Some markets now sell roasted garlic in jars that are quite good. Add to taste.
Tips
- Season the potatoes according to your taste buds. I typically add half of the soy sauce, and wasabi initially, then add to taste.
- A potato masher allows you to get the chunky texture without over-processing. Unless you're looking for creamy mashed potatoes, don't use a mixer.
- Garnish as desired with sesame seeds, chopped scallions or chives, furikake (either homemade or purchased).
Asian-Style Mashed Potatoes with Wasabi and Roasted Garlic
A great way to incorporate potatoes into an Asian-inspired meal. This dish pairs well with bamboo steamed fish and teriyaki chicken...
Ingredients
For the potatoes:
- 1 whole bulb garlic*
- 2 1/2 lb. new red potatoes, skins on, scrubbed, and quartered
- water, to cover
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt, I like Greek, but either is fine
- 2/3 cup broth
- 2 tsp. wasabi paste**
- 3 tsp. soy sauce
- 3 tsp. sesame oil
Garnishes:
- sesame oil
- scallions, chopped (about 3)
- furikake***
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees (or 350 convection roast).
- Turn the garlic bulb on its side, slice through the papery skins at the tip - not stem end - just enough to expose the cloves. Place in a small oven proof ramekin, and roast about 30 minutes (24 minutes convection roast) until soft and caramelized. Set aside to cool. When cool squeeze the soft garlic cloves out of their papery skin, and set aside. Be careful to remove any skin from the cloves.
- While garlic roasts, place quartered potatoes in a large saucepan. Completely cover with water. Add salt. Cook on high heat until fork tender.
- While potatoes cook, chop the scallions. If making the furikake, do that now as well.
- Drain the potatoes just prior to serving them to keep them hot. Return to the pan. Add yogurt, broth ( a little at a time), roasted garlic, wasabi, soy, and sesame oil to achieve a firm but creamy texture. I suggest adding the wasabi and soy in stages to taste. Wasabi does provide spicy heat, and the amount is according to your taste. Soy sauce is salty, and adding about half to start is appropriate. Using a potato masher, smash the potatoes. Leave some lumps and the skins intact.
- Scoop into a serving vessel or prepared plates, and garnish with chopped scallions, furikake, and a couple drops of sesame oil. Enjoy!
Notes
* If you don't have the time (or the desire) to roast your own garlic, some markets are selling roasted garlic cloves in the produce department. You can substitute minced garlic, but cut it back to 2 cloves as the flavor is not as subtle as roasted. The roasted garlic is worth the effort in my opinion.
** I keep a tube (it's green) of wasabi paste in my fridge for convenience as a flavoring agent. You can use wasabi powder, and add water to make a paste.
*** I keep furikake in my pantry - either prepared (from an Asian market) or my own. I probably wouldn't try to make it while I cook the potatoes. You may or may not find this ingredient at a "regular market."
It won't hurt to keep the potatoes in an oven-proof dish until right before serving. A warm oven should do the trick. Save garnishing until serving or plating. If you plan to keep them in the oven more than 10 minutes or so, cover loosely with foil or place a lid on the pot.
I am pretty conservative with portion sizes. This recipe makes about 4 cups of smashed potatoes. That allows 1/2 cup servings for 8 people. If you prefer more generous portions, keep in mind the calorie count will increase 🙂
I love to use the leftover mashed potatoes in potato cakes. I for patties, dip in an egg wash and seasoned panko, and pan-fry in a bit of oil seasoned with sesame oil.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
8 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 131
Dishes to Pair With Asian-Style Mashed Potatoes
mjskit says
Friday night is our date night as well. Even after all of these years, we still have fun with it. What a creative smashed potato dish! I have a basket of potatoes in the pantry that are getting close to that soft stage, and this is a very flavorful use for them.
Tamara says
We've made a habit of it for 34 years!