Saturday Sides: Apple-Turnip Mashed Potatoes

[Saturday Sides is a weekly feature I run to help you combat the side dish blahs. Check here Saturdays to see what’s new and different you can add to your dinner table. Or, you can subscribe here so that you never miss a Saturday Sides Recipe.]

When you’ve been married for as long as I have and you and your husband both work at home it gets pretty hard to have anything new to tell each other. I mean; I know who he talks to on the phone during the day, I’m 14 inches away from him as he types each email of the day and every time he sneezes I hand him the tissues because they’re on my side of the table. Add to this that we send each other text messages no less than once every 2.4 minutes when we do have to be apart – and well – there just isn’t anything that happens that I’m not getting the low-down on in real time.

Frankly, I don’t mind. We’re best friends and when we’re apart it feels very strange. All the same, when I do learn something new about my hubby it comes as quite a surprise.

Take today’s Saturday Side for instance. I had no idea that Hubby didn’t care for turnips. And, when I found out I was in utter shock. Not because – well – because he doesn’t like them, but because I didn’t. already. know.

How does that happen?

I know when this man last clipped his big toe-nail and what he had for lunch every day this month, but I didn’t know he doesn’t like turnips?

Wow.

Well, personally I do like turnips and I really liked this dish. It has sweet apples, precious potatoes and obviously, it has turnips. If you aren’t a turnip lover please go tell your spouse RIGHT NOW! It’s important!!

After you do that, you might consider changing the ratio of turnips to potatoes from instead of 1 pound of potatoes and one pound of turnips using just 1/2 pound turnips and  1- 1/2 pounds potatoes.

If you’re ready to try something really unique and really challenge yourself, this is it folks. I ate the leftovers every day until they were gone – and I was sad when there weren’t any more.  They are completely wonderful. I might need to go make another batch right now.

Apple-Turnip Mashed Potatoes

Adapted from Southern Living Magazine

1 pound turnips, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 pound Yukon Gold variety potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 medium Golden Delicious apples, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2-3/4 cup buttermilk (or sour milk)
2 tablespoon softened butter
2 tablespoons (about 3 slices) of crumbled bacon (I used real bacon bits)
Salt and pepper

Cover the turnips and potatoes with salted water and bring to a boil. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender.

Remember, if you are not that into turnips, or if you feel the need to be less adventurous, just use 1 1/2 pounds of potatoes and 1 pound of turnips. It’s o.k., I won’t give you a hard time.

Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a large saute pan and add the chopped apples and garlic. Saute until tender and fragrant.

O.k., so at this point it smelled so divine in my kitchen I nearly stopped making the recipe and just ate “Garlicky Apples”. Who knew that garlic and apples would be so right together? It was like chocolate and peanut butter or french fries and ketchup.

I busted out singing “We go together like rama lama lama ka ding a da ding de dong” – and yes, like every girl my age I do love the musical Grease. And, like every teen that has ever existed my daughter Katie just rolled her eyes and said something like “Ma-OHM Puh-LEASE! It’s soooo embarressing when you SING.” At which point, I started dancing too. She never appreciates me, but I haven’t given up hope just yet.

When you are done singing and dancing, drain the potatoes and turnips and pour them into a large bowl. Add the butter and apple mixture and begin gently mashing. Slowly add the buttermilk until you have the right consitency.

Stir in the bacon, thyme and use salt and pepper to taste.

Serve immediately. These warm up well, so alternatively you can make them ahead and microwave them before serving.

Here’s the recipe without pictures (and my narrative):

Apple-Turnip Mashed Potatoes

1 pound turnips, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 pound Yukon Gold variety potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 medium Golden Delicious apples, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2-3/4 cup buttermilk (or sour milk)
2 tablespoon softened butter
2 tablespoons (about 3 slices) of crumbled bacon (I used real bacon bits)
Salt and pepper

Cover the turnips and potatoes with salted water and bring to a boil. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender.

Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a large saute pan and add the chopped apples and garlic. Saute until tender and fragrant.

Drain the potatoes and turnips and pour them into a large bowl. Add the butter and apple mixture and beging gently mashing. Slowly add the buttermilk until you have the right consitency.

Stir in the bacon, thyme and use salt and pepper to taste.

Serve immediately. These warm up well, so alternatively you can make them ahead and microwave them before serving.

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