More Than Potatoes

Mousseline Potatoes. Enjoy a lighter version of mashed potatoes by cooking with a flavorful addition of chicken broth and olive oil. Cut out much of the heaviness of the dairy, add chicken broth for this do ahead recipe. Ideal for week night suppers and equally as good for holiday entertaining. And, you can have bragging rights at the dinner table. Let your guests know it is one of the most requested holiday recipes from GHL!

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Mousseline Potatoes

makes 6 servings

chefgeorgehirsch.comGeorge Hirsch Lifestyle  

10 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced into small pieces

1 cup chicken broth, hot

4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

6 cloves garlic, chopped fine

3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

4 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Black pepper and Sea salt, to taste

¼ cup fresh chives, chopped

Optional: ¼ cup cooked and finely chopped ham or pancetta

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Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and cook the potatoes until very tender, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a separate small pot, add garlic to chicken broth and simmer for 5 minutes to infuse garlic flavor into broth. Optional, strain off garlic.

Test tenderness of potatoes by slipping the point of a small knife into potato. The potatoes are done if the knife slips out easily. Drain water when potatoes are tender. After draining, return potatoes to the hot pot, add 2 Tablespoons olive oil, ½ cup chicken broth and begin to mash potatoes by hand or with an electric mixer. Add ¼ cup cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. Mix in and add 2 more Tablespoons olive oil. Continue to mash until desired level of smoothness. Add remaining cheese, chives, black pepper and sea salt to taste.

If preparing potatoes ahead, cool and refrigerate until ready to use.

Pre heat a broiler or oven to 450 degrees F.

Grease an oven proof 9 x 9 casserole pan with olive oil. Add potatoes and spread out evenly leaving ridges on top. Top with an additional ¼ cup cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese and 2 Tablespoons olive oil.

Place under broiler and heat until potatoes are bubbly and golden on top. If potatoes were made fresh and hot time will be approximately 3-5 minutes. If prepared ahead and potatoes are cold, baked for 20-25 minutes or until hot and golden on top. 



Craft Brewed Onion Soup

The Addition of a good craft beer to this classic recipe adds another dimension of flavor which compliments the caramelized onion. An IPA or dark beer is better but you can use your favorite brew.

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Beer Onion Soup

Makes 4 servings

chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle

6 cups Vidalia or sweet onions, sliced  

1 Tablespoon olive oil  

1 head caramelized garlic  

2 pints craft brewed IPA beer  

6 cups beef or vegetable broth  

1 teaspoon fresh thyme  

1 teaspoon fresh parsley  

pinch nutmeg  

4 large sour dough bread croutons  

4 slices of Gruyere cheese  

1 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese 

Preheat a soup pot. 

Add olive oil, onions and garlic. Cook onions until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add beer and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Add broth, thyme, parsley and nutmeg. Simmer for 45 minutes. 

Place sourdough croutons in 4 bowls. Add soup to each bowl. Top with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese and a slice of Gruyere. Broil for 2 minutes or until cheese melts and is slightly browned. 

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Welsh Rarebit

This 18th century dish from Great Britain hales from Wales and is made with melted cheddar cheese sauce over toast. Think fondue-like only more of a pub-ish lunch; ideal and comforting during cold weather. 

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Making Rarebit

A béchamel or white sauce can be spiced up with a pinch of cayenne pepper, or hot sauce, 1/2 cup IPA (or another good ale), 1 teaspoon prepared English mustard, and pinch of paprika.

Finish the sauce off with 1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese. Whisk in and simmer just until the cheese is melted. Serve a couple tablespoons of sauce over a slice of good wheat toast. Serve as is, or you may want to place the 'rarebit' under a broiler for 30 seconds to brown lightly. Top with chopped chives or green onion. I've also topped this with a slice of good ripe tomato + sweet onion. Enjoy.

A Light Béchamel Recipe | ChefGeorgeHirsch.com

1 Tablespoon sweet butter

1 Tablespoon flour

1/2 cup half & half (can use milk for a lighter version) 

In a small sauce pan over low heat add butter and flour and cook for 2-3 minutes. With a wire whisk add in milk and allow to simmer until slightly thickened.

If using béchamel for rarebit, continue adding ingredients as above and simmer for 5 minutes while continuing to stir.