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Brown Butter Sage Mashed Potatoes

BY Alison Wiebe

Creamy and fragrant brown butter sage mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish for a Winter Solstice celebration!

brown butter sage mashed potatoes, winter solstice dinner menu

A Yuletide Feast

As the shortest day and longest night of the year approaches, we gather with friends and loved ones to celebrate Yule and welcome the winter season. Celebrated across many cultures, the Winter Solstice holds a dear place in the hearts of many. With warm candle light, garlands of evergreen, and a flaming Yule log, celebrate this Yuletide season with a lavish winter feast. Join us in raising a glass of cheer as welcome the coming of the light!

A comforting side

Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to the roast rack of pork in our Yuletide feast. The potatoes are mashed with a fragrant sage and garlic infused cream and drizzled with nutty brown butter. This warm and comforting potato dish is the ideal side for any winter feast.

mashed potatoes with sage, yuletide recipe ideas

Ingredients

Potatoes: I prefer to use a yellow-flesh potato such as Yukon Gold for mashed potatoes, however, you could use whatever kind that you prefer.

Sage: Use fresh sage leaves if possible.

brown butter sage mashed potatoes, yuletide recipe ideas

How to make Brown Butter Sage Mashed Potatoes

Steep the cream

In a small saucepan heat the cream over medium heat. Lightly crush the garlic clove so it splits open and add it to the cream. Add 5-6 sage leaves to the cream. Bring the cream to a gentle simmer then cover and remove from the heat. Let steep while the potatoes cook, at least 15-20 minutes.

Boil and mash the potatoes

Peel the potatoes and cut into chunks. Add to a large pot of water and place over high heat. Bring the water to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain the potatoes and transfer back to the pot.

Roughly mash the potatoes. Remove the garlic clove and sage leaves from the cream. Add the cream to the potatoes along with the kosher salt and pepper and mash until creamy.

Brown the butter

In a small skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Let the butter simmer gently until it begins to brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. The butter will foam and then become clear, with the milk solids dropping to the bottom of the pan. Swirl the pan while the butter is cooking to make sure it browns evenly.

When the milk solids in the butter turn brown, add the remaining sage leaves and swirl for another few seconds. Remove from the heat.

Serve the Brown Butter Sage Mashed Potatoes

To serve, spoon one third of the mashed potatoes into a serving dish and drizzle with one third of the brown butter and sage leaves. Repeat two more times finishing with the remaining brown butter. Enjoy!

mashed potatoes with sage, winter solstice dinner menu

Brown Butter Sage Mashed Potatoes

Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients 

  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • about 12-15 fresh sage leaves
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 3 lb potatoes
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 4 tbsp butter

Instructions 

  • In a small saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat. Peel and lightly crush the garlic clove so it splits open and add to the cream. Add 5-6 sage leaves to the cream. Bring the cream to a gentle simmer then cover and remove from the heat. Let steep while the potatoes cook.
  • Peel the potatoes and cut into chunks. Add to a large pot of water and place over high heat. Bring the water to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain the potatoes and transfer back to the pot.
  • Remove the garlic clove and sage leaves from the cream. Add the cream to the potatoes along with the kosher salt and pepper and mash until smooth.
  • In a small skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Let the butter simmer gently until it begins to brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. The butter will foam and then become clear, with the milk solids dropping to the bottom of the pan. Swirl the pan while the butter is cooking to make sure it browns evenly.
  • When the milk solids in the butter turn brown, add the remaining sage leaves and swirl for another few seconds. Remove from the heat.
  • To serve, spoon one third of the mashed potatoes into a serving dish and drizzle with one third of the brown butter and sage leaves. Repeat two more times finishing with the remaining brown butter. Enjoy!

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