Dutch-Style Mashed Potatoes, Two Ways: How to Eat the Rainbow w/o Giving Up Carbs

Today’s  recipe is actually two recipes, for “hutspot” and “stamppot”. Um, say what? Those are just the Dutch names for two different types of mashed potatoes, both yummy and both full of vitamins, nutrients, and most importantly, packed full of delicious flavour!

Want to learn how to make Dutch-Style Mashed Potatoes? Read on!

MASHED POTATOES W/ CARROTS & CARAMELIZED ONIONS (aka ‘Hutspot’)

• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 5 medium-sized potatoes

Saute onions and carrots in butter until onions are caramelized and carrots are fork-able. While they are cooking, microwave the potatoes (or you could bake them in the oven, but that takes longer and I like to get dinner on the table asap!). Scoop out the potato flesh and mash it together with the sauted onions and carrots until chunkily mashed. And…done! 

This is a savoury mashed potato dish, with a hint of sweet from the carrots. So yum!

Legend has it that when the Dutch routed the Spanish colonizers from their land back in in 1500 and something, the Spanish left so quickly that they left their vegetables still cooking over the fire. The Dutch found it, mashed it up, and voila, a new national dish was born.

A variation on the same thing is mashed potatoes with curly-leafed greens (lettuce, endive, kale). I know, it doesn’t sound delicious, but trust me, it is! If you (or your loved ones) don’t like salads, this is a great way to get them to eat their greens — just pour some gravy on top! How to make it? Read on!

KALE MASHED POTATOES (a variation on ‘Stamppot’)

• 5 medium-sized potatoes
• 1 head kale 
• 1/2 c. milk

Wash kale and strip off stems. Chop the leaves finely and throw out the stems. Bake potatoes in microwave. Scoop out the baked flesh and mash in the chopped kale and milk. And…done! You could also use a hand-held blender to quicken the process, which is what I did. Just be sure not to over-process it, as no one wants uniformly green mashed potatoes. 

My mum always served these dishes with pan-fried roasts so that there was always lots of gravy to spoon over the mashed potatoes. Even though I no longer eat meat, I have to say, the memory of those meals still makes my mouth water. These are definitely delicious ways to add more veggies into your diet, and I plan to make them more often. Try them out — you won’t regret it!

I served the mashed potatoes with a slice or two of Canadian bacon, some warm kale chips, and a few sweet potato fries. The DH said “Now THIS is a meal!” So yay for yummy meals and especially for ones chock-full of a variety of vegetables!

BONUS KALE CHIP RECIPE: Wash and dry kale. Tear the leaves off the stems and discard stems. Sprinkle a little bit of oil on the leaves and rub in. Bake in a 350 degree oven until crispy, and serve lightly salted. They’re not potato chips, but they’re still sure to be a hit with people who are picky about their veggies. Or you could eat them all yourself. Not that I did that. Nope. (I just ate most of them.)

Next Post: Hmm. Good question. I’m feeling lately like I should up my protein intake, so maybe something like that. Any special requests? Let me know in the comments!

Linking Up at Happiness is Homemade, Meal Plan Monday, Full Plate Thursday, and Foodie Friday!