Whipped Potatoes with Cilantro Pesto
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For a twist on the traditional, these Southwest inspired Whipped Potatoes with Cilantro Pesto start with Russet potatoes that are cooked until fork tender then mashed with cream, milk, butter and a beautiful herb pesto that gets folded in.
Do you call them mashed or whipped potatoes?
Whatever you call these potatoes they get a Southwest twist of flavor marbled throughout to add that punch. Sure there’s cream and butter, but this pesto made from parsley, cilantro, pine nuts and parmesan cheese is incredibly delish.
This recipe comes via Bobbly Flay and it’s a winner at his MESA Grill restaurant and a favorite of mine that I thought I’d share with you.
While I was inspired by the original recipe, I’ve added more potato as I found it to be really loose and I also added more garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes to my cilantro pesto.
Feel free to use any pesto, be it store bought or homemade. I also have other pesto recipes in case cilantro is not to your taste like my Homemade Pesto or this Lemon Cashew Pesto.
While I LOVE good, creamy mashed potatoes, especially covered in gravy, I also like to experiment with seasonings and flavors so when I first tried this over a year ago I knew it had to share it with you to make an appearance on the holiday table.
Or any time of year actually!
- Wild Rice Pilaf
- Asparagus with Tarragon Sauce
- Honey Butter Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Mushrooms with Bacon
- Wilted Cabbage Salad
- Marinated Slow Roasted Onions
- Loaded Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Sriracha Maple Bacon Wrapped Carrots
- Honey Mustard Sweet Potato Salad
- Balsamic Glazed Pearl Onions with Bacon
Whatever the season or reason I really hope you give this one a try. I had these mashed potatoes with my Glazed Crown Roast of Pork the other evening and it was a huge hit.
These whipped potatoes also great served alongside my Braised Beef Brisket, Brown Sugar Maple Glazed Turkey, grilled meats like my Grilled Monterey Chicken or these Grilled Pork Chops, Enjoy!
Whipped Potatoes with Cilantro Pesto
Ingredients
- 4 lbs russet potatoes peeled and quartered
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 8 tbsp butter
Cilantro Pesto
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup parsley leaves
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
Cilantro Pesto
- In a food processor combine cilantro, parsley, garlic, pine nuts and salt then process until smooth. With the motor running, slowly drizzle the olive oil until emulsified and thickened. Add the cheese and pulse a few times until combined. Set aside.
Potatoes
- Place cut potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by an inch. Stir in the 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and bring to a boil over high heat and cook until fork tender, 25 minutes. Drain and return them to the pot.
- Combine the cream, milk and butter in a microwave safe bowl and heat to melt butter, or in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer over low heat until butter is melted. Pour mixture into the potatoes and mash until smooth.
- Carefully fold the cilantro pesto into the mashed potatoes to allow for ribbons of pesto (See Note 1) and serve.
Notes
- Gently fold the cilantro pesto into the whipped/mashed potatoes so you can see ribbons throughout instead of incorporating completely.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I’m swooning over the texture of these whipped potatoes, Kevin! They look so fluffy and creamy and I’m so intrigued by the cilantro pesto – yum!!
It’s a must try Marissa! 🙂
These potatoes are making my mouth water! You know I make mashed potatoes all the time and pesto is a favorite, but I’ve never thought to combine them! I love this!!
And the cilantro pesto is a wonderful change, too. Thanks Annie! 🙂
Can never go wrong with a good potato side dish! These look delicious, especially with that pesto (nice twist). Perfect for our holiday table 🙂
The herb cheese touch is heavenly! Thanks Dawn. 🙂