Sweet potato and harissa mash

There are numerous ways of adding your own touch to this sweet potato mash recipe. Replace some or all of the sweet potatoes with other potatoes or vegetables of your choice. Adding a few russet potatoes will make the sweet potato mash lighter and fluffier without compromising on the taste. Cauliflower is also a good variation with its mild taste and fluffy texture. Celeriac is another good choice but be careful not to replace too many of the sweet potatoes, as the celeriac can easily take over. You can add more flavour to sweet potato mash by adding, for example, garlic, onion, thyme, or rosemary to the water when boiling the potatoes. This will add a very subtle flavour to the sweet potato mash. If you want a stronger flavour, you can add the flavours to the butter. Mix cold butter with spices or melt the butter in a pan and add, for example, garlic or herbs. This gives a stronger flavour to the sweet potato mash, but if you brown it in the butter, it will not be too overwhelming.

You can easily prepare most of the recipe in advance. Reheat the mash when you are ready to serve and add the herbs at the end to ensure they retain their fresh, vibrant colour. You can tell when the sweet potato is cooked as it will rise to the surface of the water. Do not overcook the sweet potato as this can create a watery mash. Using a tea towel over a colander to steam the sweet potato when draining will remove some of the water before mashing. Every harissa paste is different in flavour and spice levels, so add to your desired taste. Take the butter out of the fridge in advance so it is at room temperature when you add it to the boiled sweet potatoes. This makes it easier for the potatoes to absorb the butter and gives you a creamy mash.

Start by cooking the sweet potatoes. When they are cooked, drain them, and make sure that all excess water is gone before mashing the potatoes. Add butter and spices and finish with fresh herbs. Check out our recipe for more details.

You can freeze sweet potato mash for up to 12 months without it losing its colour, flavour, or overall quality. Make sure to keep it in an airtight container or bag. If you know that you are going to freeze the sweet potato mash, you can freeze before adding the herbs and add them after reheating instead.

Sweet potato mash is delicious as it is. However, you can also add some crispy or fresh accompaniments to the soft and creamy mash. Just about any vegetable is a good match, for example, broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers.

There are several tips for making a creamy sweet potato mash. For example, the boiling of the sweet potatoes is crucial. Undercooked potatoes will not be soft and overcooked potatoes absorb too much water, which will give you a soupy mash. Also, make sure that the butter is at room temperature before mixing it into the potatoes. This makes it easier for the mashed sweet potato to absorb the butter and gives you a creamy mash.

The boiling time depends on the size of the potatoes, but 20-30 minutes is a good indication. Check the potatoes regularly. You want them to be fork tender and to fall apart without being overcooked.

Absolutely! A mix of sweet potatoes and white potatoes is a very good choice. The flavour of sweet potato combined with the lightness of white potato gives you a perfect sweet potato mash.

Overcooking the sweet potatoes might result in a watery mash. Try placing the watery mash in a pot over a low heat. This will evaporate any excess water and make the mash less watery. Also, make sure that you drain the potatoes properly. Then place them back into the hot saucepan and let the heat evaporate any excess water.

Sweet potato mash does not have to be made from just sweet potatoes alone. It is usually a good idea to add a few regular potatoes, for example Maris Piper potatoes, to obtain a creamy mash. Other vegetables, such as celeriac, carrots, and cauliflower, are also great co-players when you want a delicious sweet potato mash.

In this sweet potato mash recipe, we season with cumin and harissa paste as well as fresh herbs. You can also add other flavours such as garlic or shallots. Salt and pepper are crucial for any sweet potato mash as they enhance the other flavours.

Sweet potato mash can easily be reheated if you have leftovers in the fridge or freezer. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight. A microwave is a fast way to reheat cold sweet potato mash, but you can also reheat it in the oven on medium heat. You may want to add a bit of butter or milk to restore the creamy texture.