Biarritz potatoes (V)

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Surfing in Biarritz

Straight from the Aquitaine, where I must have spent 15 summers, surfing and windsurfing. A wonderful area of France that the British seem to ignore. Markets and fresh produce everywhere, a great place for a holiday, unless it rains. This dish is regularly cooked in the camper van!

Ingredients

• 900 g (2lb) flourly potatoes such as Desiree, King Edward, Nadine, Saxon or Wilja.
• 50 g (1 oz) butter
• 90 ml (6 tablespoons) milk or single cream
• 1 large red pepper, deseeded and finely chopped, though a selection of colours tastes the same but looks nicer.
• 15 ml (1 tablespoon) fresh parsley, chopped
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Peel the potatoes and cut into small chunks so they cook evenly
2. Boil the potatoes in lightly salted water for 20 minutes or until very soft.
3. Drain the potatoes and return to a low heat for a minute or two to dry out a little.
4. Mash the potatoes or pass thorough a ricer, beat in the butter, milk and seasoning, then fold in the peppers and parsley.

Variations

Roast some garlic and squeeze the pureé into the potatoes as you mash them.

Roast the peppers before chopping them.

Serving suggestions

Serve immediately

See also

• Biarritz potatoes, the non-vegetarian version