These rustic, but light mashed potatoes elevate Creamer potatoes with caramelized shallots, fresh kale and tangy goat cheese. Thank you to the Little Potato Co. for helping me to share this recipe with you.
If it's one thing that I've noticed when cooking with my kids, it's that they are far more likely to try new things if they had a hand in the preparation. So much of kids' lives are dictated by adults - when to go to school, when to go to bed, how to make their bed. The list goes on. When you give them the opportunity to use their creativity in the kitchen and to make some of their own decisions, they jump at the chance to show off their independence and chef-ing skills.
I realize that kale and goat cheese are not in the wheelhouse for most kids, but you may be surprised at what they're willing to try if you give them a little ownership of this recipe. Don't make a big deal of these two ingredients. Just let your kids work on the prep and, before you know it, they'll probably be sneaking tastes of the creamy cheese.
Mashing the potatoes is my son's favorite part, followed closely by cutting the kale - or anything involving a chef's knife. He has learned the fine of slicing and dicing while keeping his fingers the heck away from the blade. Important life lessons don't need to involve losing appendages!
The creaminess of little potatoes, such as the Baby Boomers that I used in these light mashed potatoes, makes Creamer potatoes the ideal candidates for mashed potatoes. They cook quickly, mash easily (good for those kid-sized muscles) and have a lovely mellow flavor that pairs well with the naturally sweet sautéed shallots and tangy goat cheese. And with just a tablespoon of butter and skim milk rather than cream, these mashed potatoes are lighter than the average version.
Besides growing Creamer potatoes that are fantastic for boiling, roasting, grilling or steaming, the Little Potato Company is dedicated to their Little Chefs program, which is all about about encouraging kids to get into the kitchen. That makes my heart sing because good little chefs are also usually good little eaters.
And what did my little sous chef think of this recipe? Well, let's just say that he chose to have a bowl of potatoes for an after school snack. He was sold!
Other healthy recipes with Creamer potatoes:
Vegan Potato Soup with Beans & Kale
Creamer Potato with Red Pepper Cashew Pesto
Light Salmon & Potato Chowder
Italian Turkey, Potato & Zucchini Meatloaf
Printable Recipe
Light Mashed Potatoes with Kale & Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 1 ½ pounds. package Baby Boomer Creamer potatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter cut into pieces
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon skim milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 large shallot minced
- 3 cups packed chopped kale
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 ounces crumbled chevre goat cheese
Instructions
- Place the Creamer potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold water, 1 inch above the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Drain, then return to the saucepan.
- Mash the potatoes with a potato masher, then stir in the butter and milk until combined and the butter is melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are tender and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in the kale and water, and cook until the kale is just wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Stir the kale mixture and goat cheese into the mashed potatoes. Set over medium heat and cook, stirring, until the potatoes are heated, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve.
Meg @ With Salt and Wit
Funny how I have never really been a big potato fan but this kind with kale and goat cheese is calling my name! Jazzed up potatoes are hard to turn down!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen
Love the addition of kale! Very clever!