Light and Fluffy Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes

 

Usually, when I'm choosing recipes, my first thought naturally goes toward what I like to eat. But then it occurred to me that very often people have food allergies and can't eat certain things that I take for granted.

 So today I decided to do a delicios recipe for mashed potatoes that doesn't have all the heavy cream that I usually add. But how do you make it rich without all the cream?? The answer is coconut milk! Yes, yes, I know, crazy, right? But seriously, trust me on this. No, it does't make them taste like coconut. It just adds the richness that you want! Add whatever seasonings you like, and there you go. Perfectly fluffy delicious mashed potatoes without any of the problems that might come with dairy. 

Surprising? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely! !

5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 can coconut milk

4 tbs ghee, melted 

Salt and pepper

Chives

Place potatoes and chicken broth in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours until fork tender.

Scoop the potatoes out of the slow cooker, and push them through a potato ricer set at its finest setting. 

Shake the can of coconut milk before you open it.  Now stir in the coconut milk a little at a time. 

Do the same with the melted butter and any broth left in the slow cooker. 

Season with plenty of salt and pepper.  Top with chopped chives.

Tips:

Usually, at this point, I'll mention what I believe to be the "key" to the recipe. Well, in this case, there are several:

First, you want to make sure you use the right kind of potato. Yukon Golds give you just the right amount starch without turning into spackle. 

Next is the potato ricer. If you've never used one, it kind of looks like a giant garlic press, and it's the best tool for mashing potatoes. Of course, you can use a hand masher, but I wouldn't use a mixer. Again, spackle.

Have you ever used ghee? It's just clarified butter with all of the milk solids removed. It works much better for people who don't do well with dairy. Of course, regular butter also works.

And finally, it's all about flavor! Use any seasonings you like. Garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, all good! And remember, it will need more salt than you think it will!

Cooking the potatoes in chicken broth adds lots of flavor too, but you can easily keep it Vegan. Just use Vegan butter, and use water or a vegetable broth.

Slow Cooker Apricot Glazed Carrots

 

Here's a side dish recipe that is so easy you won't believe it. It takes literally 5 minutes to prep in your slow cooker (as far in advance as you'd like), and then all you have to do is turn it on. It doesn't get easier than that! This qualifies as one of the easiest most delicious Thanksgiving recipes I've ever tried, and believe me when I tell you that's saying something!! Oh, and one other thing, if you think you don't like carrots, give this one a try. It just might change your mind! 

2 lbs baby carrots

1 medium onion, sliced

1/2 cup water

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup apricot preserves

2 tbs chopped fresh parsley

In a 4-5 quart slow cooker, place carrots, onion, and water. Sprinkle with salt. Cover. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Discard any liquid in cooker. Toss carrots with honey and preserves. Turn to high. Cover. Cook for addition 10-15 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley on top. Serve. 

Tips:

Whenever I buy bags of baby carrots, I find that some are thinner than others. Choose the ones that are thicker. They'll do much better in this recipe. Don't want baby carrots, use regular carrots! Just peel them and cut them into bite sized pieces. 

Not a fan of apricots? Use any favorite fruit jam. I looked for hints from The Betty Crocker Kitchens, since thats where I found this recipe.. they said that "peach, plum, pineapple or another flavor preserves will lend these carrots a subtly different yet equally delicious fruit flavor." I couldn't have said it better!

Oh, btw, the original recipe did not include the half cup of water. I was worried that it would be too dry, so I added the water. Since we drain it anyway, it just made sense to me!