Pesto Mashed Potatoes

Last Autumn I made an amazing potato soup with pesto and chorizo. It was so flavorful and well, slurped down in seconds.

I don't think I made enough.

So while reminiscing about that lovely, butter-rific potato soup, I thought, how can I slightly lighten this dish up? I could eat this soup everyday, and my thighs will hang on to it for far too long. And the already brutal lunges would be even more unbearable! Anyone do those? They hurt so good.

So while brainstorming, I came up with something I've never seen, but I am sure the genius foodies who reads my blog (rolling their eyes perhaps?): Pesto Mashed Potatoes! I am a pesto fiend. I make a batch at least once a week. It's an amazing on sandwiches, burgers, salads, dressings, the uses are endless!


This dish is so quick to put together  and even quicker if you're using store-bought pesto. It's gorgeous on a plate and you can tell kids it's radioactive mashed potatoes...ok, don't. If they're anything like mine anyway!
I made this incredibly flavored mashed potatoes with cowboy steaks, and it was a perfect pairing. Try this new (to me) take on mashed potatoes! Hope you enjoy!

Pesto Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
2 to 2 1/2 lbs russet or yukon gold potatoes (or whatever potatoes you use for mashing!)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter at room temp *
1/4 to 1/3 cup milk, warmed (add more or less depending on what consistency you prefer!)

* you can add butter to milk when you warm it in the microwave or stove-top
For Pesto
You can use store-bought pesto or homemade!
Recipe:
2 cups of fresh parsley or basil loosely packed, chopped
1/4 or 1/3 cup of Parmigiano- Reggiano or Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup pine nuts or slivered almonds (toasted optional)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/3 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to your taste

Directions
Peel potato and chop however you prefer. Place in pot and cover with salted water and bring to boil. This took me about 10 minutes, yours may vary so watch! After it's been brought to a boil, turn heat down to low and allow to simmer for  about 10 minutes or until tender!

Drain potatoes, then add back to pot. Turn your burner up to high and stir constantly for 30 seconds to minute to allow potatoes to dry!  You don't want watery mash potatoes, do you?

Now place potatoes in a bowl. Mash to the consistency you like, then add milk and butter and mix- do not add salt. At this point, you can separate un-pestoed and pesto mashed potatoes for those who do not want green potatoes on their plate.

To the potatoes you want pestoed (that's a word on this post, k?), add about 3 tablespoons of pesto. Mix, and done! To the potatoes you don't want pesto, add salt and pepper to your taste. Voila! Everyone's happy. And if you want the whole pot pesto, add 1/4 cup of pesto! I hope you enjoy as much as we did!

Friday Favorites: My Favorite Recipes and Why I Blog

I have been updating this blog off and on for the nearly 2 years. I do not update it regularly because, well, life happens. I am happy for the support of those who's been here from the beginning. Many has come and gone, some have stayed put. THANK YOU!!!!

My sole purpose of blogging: to get folk inspired to get in the kitchen. Even if you don't try my recipe, I'd hope I've inspired you to try something similar, put your own spin on it or just get those pots and pans moving period.

I believe in inspiring others. Maybe to a fault. I share recipes from everyone from my favorite TV Chefs, the "top" bloggers, the bloggers not a lot knows about, heck everyone. I don't discriminate and refuse to fit into any mold. I love and believe in so many! If it gets more folks cooking, I am happy!

I have a bit more time to blog these days thanks to my favorite organization site www.cozi.com. It has everything from a journal, a to-do list, and a meal plan list! I LOVE it! My house is more organized, and I plan each day with it. And I found I actually have free time where I can do nothing guilt-free. So that's one of the reasons I can be here more often. ;)

The main purpose of this post is to show you some of my favorite recipes you all may have never seen since many of you weren't around those first few months! These also happen to be my very favorites, so I hope you enjoy or try something similar/better/totally no where like it. Have a lovely weekend all!

For Valentine's Day. This is sooo quick and delicious. I am def adding this to my cozi meal planner ;)
Cumin and Coriander Crusted Salmon with Avocado Relish and Rum Roasted Pineapples!


Rid those sniffles!
Chicken Curry in a Hurry


Quick Dinner. This may be the best thing I've ever eaten. Simple and delicious! And it was all under 30 minutes, including make the wrap!
Quick Homemade Chicken Doner


Kid Pleaser and simple!
Quick Chunky Chicken Korma



I hope you all enjoyed reading this. Thank you all for being awesome!

Strawberry-Banana and Coconut Smoothie

I am a smoothie fanatic. I make them after runs, for breakfast, and when I need an energy boost in the afternoon. Like most homemade smoothies, this is so easy to put together and it's so delicious- one of my favorites. Give it a try....now!!!!

Strawberry-Banana Coconut Smoothie

10 frozen strawberries (about 1 1/2 cup worth)

1 ripe banana

1/2 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup water or ice if you want it thicker

2-3 tablespoons honey (to your taste)

2 tablespoons flax seeds (optional)

1 tablespoon toasted wheat germ (optional)

Directions

Blend all together- enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday: Mommy's Mind is in the Gutter

I love Pinterest. We've done a lot of crafts I've found on there. One was homemade playdoh. It's so fun and easy! And the kids play with it for hours leaving me toooooooo clean for hours. At least peacefully! Anywho, while I was resting, my children were making  "croissants" with their playdoh (lil foodies). So they start showing me their masterpieces. All of the sudden I hear my daughter shriek, "Mommy Mommy, look what I made!!!"

It's supposed to be a tower. What did you think it was? Don't lie :) 

 How can I not document this. I love being a mom.

 Have a great day all!!!