Potatoes are so versatile that almost anything can be made out of them. There’s something about dishes that include mash that make it so delicious and comforting.
But there is a way to add a bit of pizazz to your mashed potato – and it includes a secret ingredient. Experts have revealed an unexpected way to elevate your mashed potatoes with a pinch of salt and some Parmesan rind. Yes, the one you usually throw away because you think it’s no longer edible.
As reported by The Express, adding this secret ingredient will boost its flavour, adding a “touch of salt and earthiness”. It will do this by making sure the “culinary gold” part of a Parmesan block, that’s often thrown away, is put to good use.
The rind is the final layer at the end of the cheese block that hardens as time goes on. While it’s often thrown in the bin, it can actually be used to flavour soups and stews. It’s also used in Italian cuisine, in dishes such as risotto and even famous sauces.
Other food experts at AllRecipes.com urged chefs to never throw away the rind, claiming that it’s “almost as delicious and useful as the cheese itself.” Sara Haas, a nutrition pro at AllRecipes revealed she had experimented with Parmesan rind in a mashed potatoes recipe at a culinary school, saying: “I plopped it right in my warm pot full of milk and melted butter.”
“I let it simmer there for about 20 minutes, which coincidentally was about the same amount of time my potatoes needed to cook,” she added. “After mashing my potatoes, I removed the rind from my pot and poured in my milk mixture. It was delicious.”
There are plenty of ways to make mashed potatoes and many side dishes to combine them. They’re a classic accompaniment for roasted meats such as chicken, beef and pork, but they also work with fish, sausages and vegetables.
The good thing about this simple ingredient is that it’s accessible in any supermarket, and despite it being pricey, it will elevate your mashed potatoes.
Shoppers don’t have to be professional chefs to ace this recipe, as it’s simple to make. You need potatoes, butter, milk or cream, salt and pepper – and of course, Parmesan rind.
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