Rosemary Romano Mashed Potatoes

Rosemary Romano Mashed Potatoes

Today, we’re delving into the world of comfort food with our Rosemary Romano Mashed Potatoes. This recipe takes the humble potato and transforms it into a luxurious side dish that’s rich, creamy, and infused with the aromatic magic of fresh rosemary.

At the heart of these mashed potatoes are the russet potatoes themselves, a starchy wonder that becomes the perfect canvas for our culinary creativity. But what truly sets this recipe apart is the combination of savory Pecorino Romano cheese, which adds a salty and nutty depth, and crispy diced pancetta that provides a delightful contrast of textures and a burst of flavor.

To achieve that luxurious creaminess, we’ll enlist the help of two dairy champions: unsalted butter and heavy whipping cream. They’ll melt together into a silky indulgence that will make your taste buds sing. And for that extra touch of tang and richness, we’ll introduce sour cream, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.

The star of the flavor show, however, is the fragrant and earthy fresh rosemary. As it dances through the potatoes, it will infuse them with a tantalizing aroma and a hint of piney sweetness, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.

Whether you’re planning a holiday feast, a Sunday dinner, or simply want to turn an ordinary weeknight into something extraordinary, these Rosemary Romano Mashed Potatoes are your ticket to culinary bliss. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a side dish that’s not just food; it’s a warm, comforting embrace on a plate.

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds russet potatoes
  • 8 oz pecorino romano cheese
  • 4 oz diced pancetta
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary

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Directions

First, peel the potato skins then cut them into 2 inch cubes. Make sure all cubes are roughly the same size so that they cook evenly. Place the potatoes in a large pot, then add 1 tablespoon of salt, and submerge them with cold water. Next, bring everything to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat to medium low, maintaining a simmer. Cook the potatoes for 15 to 25 minutes until they are tender and break apart when stuck with a knife or fork. Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them sit for 5 minutes. Return them to the pot on a low heat for a few minutes to evaporate off excess moisture.


While the potatoes are cooking, finely mince the rosemary and hand shred the cheese.


In a skillet on medium heat, cook the pancetta for roughly 10 minutes until they turn brown. Remove them from the pan and place them on paper towels to absorb the grease. Safely drain the grease from the pan into a jar. Next, melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium low, then slowly add in the heavy whipping cream and sour cream. Add the rosemary then a minute later remove the skillet from the heat.


Use a potato masher to break down the potato chunks or use a potato ricer and finely mash them into the pot. Slowly fold the butter cream mixture into the potatoes and mix everything together. Finally add in the grated Romano cheese and mash or mix for another minute. If the potatoes seem dry, add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of whipping cream and 1/4 – 1/2 cup of sour cream to moisten up the mashed potatoes.

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Tuscan White Bean Salad

Tuscan White Bean Salad

Are you looking for a light, healthy, and easy-to-make salad recipe that will satisfy your taste buds and provide you with essential nutrients? Look no further than Tuscan White Bean Salad! This versatile dish is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re having a backyard BBQ, a potluck dinner, or a simple weekday lunch.

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a moment to appreciate the nutritional benefits of Tuscan White Bean Salad. This dish is packed with plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a healthy and satisfying meal option. Here are some of the key nutrients found in Tuscan White Bean Salad:

  • Protein: White beans are an excellent source of protein, with one cup of cooked beans containing around 15 grams of protein. Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues, and it also helps you feel full and satisfied after meals.
  • Fiber: Both the beans and the vegetables in this salad are rich in fiber, which is important for digestion, blood sugar control, and heart health. Fiber also helps you feel full for longer, which can aid in weight management.
  • Vitamins and minerals: Tuscan White Bean Salad is a great source of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, iron, and potassium. These nutrients are essential for maintaining a healthy immune system, strong bones, and healthy blood pressure levels.
  • Ingredients

    • 2 15oz cans cannellini beans
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
    • ½ red onion
    • ½ green pepper
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
    • ¼ cup capers
    • ¼ cup parsley
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ½ lemon juice and zest
    • ½ tsp red pepper flakes

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    Directions

    First, pour out the cannellini beans into a colander to drain and wash them. While they dry, slice the cherry tomatoes into 3 slices each. For small tomatoes just cut those in half. Dice the onion and pepper then combine it with the tomatoes in a bowl.


    Add the beans to the bowl then add the capers and olive oil. Add the zest of a half lemon, then the juice. Mix everything together then add the red pepper flakes, chopped basil and chopped parsley. Mix once more and refrigerate for 1 -2 hours. Serve and enjoy.

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    Pellet Smoked Cheesy Broccoli Rice

    Pellet Smoked Cheesy Broccoli Rice

    Sometimes a good meal needs a killer side dish. This is one of those crowd feeding side dishes that has your back on the holidays or for any get together cookout. Even if you have a small eating crew, the leftovers will freeze well for another day. Smoked cheesy broccoli rice pairs so well with many other foods that it might become your go to side dish. Kids love the cheese flavor, grandparents missing teeth love it, you just can’t go wrong.

    Ingredients

    • 2 heads of whole broccoli
    • 1 yellow onion
    • 2 cups white rice
    • 32 oz chicken broth
    • 16 oz cheddar cheese
    • 8 oz swiss cheese
    • 8 oz mozzarella
    • 1 quart milk
    • ½ cup all purpose flour
    • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter

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    Directions

    First, hand shred the cheddar, swiss, and mozzarella cheeses and set this aside in a large bowl. Keep about 1 cup (8oz) of cheddar cheese off to the side for later topping.


    Next, remove the large stems from the broccoli florets. Cut the florets into small sizes. Chop parts of the stems into small bits. Par boil the broccoli for no more than 5 minutes then drain in a colander. Run cold water over the broccoli to stop the cooking process.


    Finely dice the onion and fry for about 5 minutes until the onion starts to turn translucent.


    Bring the 32 oz of chicken broth to a boil, then add the 2 cups of white rice. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 – 25 minutes until rice is cooked and tender.


    Next prepare the bechamel starting by melting the butter in an 8 qt pot on medium heat and stirring in the flour with a wooden spoon. Cook until it turns light brown, then slowly incorporate the room temperature milk. Next slowly incorporate the cheese and stir with a whisk when the mixture becomes thick.


    Finally add the broccoli, onion and rice into the cheese sauce and mix together. Pour the final mixture into a 9×13 foil pan. Top with the shredded cheese that was set aside.


    Smoke with pecan or apple pellets at 250F for 3.5 hours.

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    Buttery Stuffing

    Buttery Stuffing

    Every holiday meal needs a good homemade stuffing. Of course this takes more effort than making instant stovetop stuffing, but the flavor and texture is so much better. This recipe is based on typical classic stuffing recipes but we added more butter for a fluffy croissant taste. Of course you could modify this recipe as you like to match your taste. If you are short on time, you can do all the chopping and dicing a day ahead of time. You can also dry out the bread a day before and store it in large zip seal bags. When it’s time to cook the stuffing mixture, keep in mind you will need at least 1.5 hours baking time. You can get this done early on the holiday and just warm it up when your main dish is ready. One thing is certain, once you make home made stuffing, this will be a repeat dish every year!

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb sourdough bread
    • 4 celery stalks
    • 1 yellow onion (medium)
    • 3 garlic cloves
    • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
    • 1 tsp fresh sage
    • 1 tsp fresh thyme
    • 1 tsp fresh rosemary
    • ½ cup fresh parsley
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 cups (or 14.5 oz can) chicken broth

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    Directions

    First, preheat the oven to 250F. Next use a bread knife and cut the bread into ½ inch slices. Cut each slice into 3 – 4 strips roughly ½ inch wide. Finally, stack the 3 strips together and slice out ½ inch cubes. Spread the cubes flat on several cookie sheets without stacking any bread on top of eachother. Place the cookie sheets in the oven for 20 minutes then remove them and check the bread cubes for any moisture. All cubes should be solid and not squishy. If any are squishy, continue to bake them for another 20 minutes. Repeat this until all bread cubes are solid, then remove the bread and increase the oven temperature to 350F.


    While the bread is baking, chop the onion, celery and herbs. Set aside unchopped parsley for a final topping. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook for 8 minutes stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and herbs then cook for 1 minute more then remove the skillet from the heat.


    Transfer the bread cubes to a large bowl. Pour about ⅓ of the melted butter onion mixture over the bread and toss to coat evenly. Pour another ⅓ and mix again. Repeat once more with the remaining butter mixture.


    In a medium bowl, mix together the eggs and chicken broth. Pour ⅓ of the mixture over the bread and toss again to coat evenly. Repeat twice more then transfer the bread to a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 350F for 45 minutes. Uncover and stir the stuffing. Cook uncovered for another 20 minutes then stir the stuffing again checking for moisture and brown coloring on the bread. The bread should be brown and partially moist but not soaked and uncolored. Repeat this 20 minute cook several times if needed. When the bread reaches your desired doneness, rest for 5 minutes then top with the parsley that was set aside.

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