The creamy texture of these mashed potatoes is achieved without using cream or milk. The secret is to use the cooking liquid to moisten the puree, adding just a small amount of butter or olive oil to provide a luxurious finish. Top them with this rich gravy that can be made with fresh shiitakes as well as portobellos. Leave the mushroom pieces in for a chunky-style sauce or strain them out for a velvety consistency.

Makes 8 servings, about 3/4 cup each

ACTIVE TIME: 20 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

Portobello Gravy (recipe follows)
3 1/4 pounds russet potatoes (4-5 large), peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
4 large cloves garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons butter or extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Make Portobello Gravy.
2. Place potatoes and garlic in a large pot, cover with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over medium heat until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving cooking liquid.
3. Return the potatoes and garlic to the pot. Add butter (or oil). Mash the potatoes with a potato masher, adding 1/2 to 1 cup of the reserved liquid to make a creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a warmed serving bowl and serve with Portobello Gravy.

Portobello Gravy
Active time: 10 minutes | Total: 30 minutes
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups chopped cleaned portobello mushrooms (2 medium)
2 1/4 cups vegetable broth (see Ingredient note)
3 tablespoons tamari or reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/8 teaspoon crumbled dried sage
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until they begin to release their juices, about 10 minutes.
2. Add broth, tamari (or soy sauce), thyme and sage; simmer for 10 minutes. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Stir into the sauce and simmer, stirring often, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes more. Season with pepper. If you prefer a smooth gravy, pass it through a fine sieve (discard mushrooms and onions). Serve hot.
Makes 2 cups chunky gravy or 1 cup smooth gravy, for 8 servings.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving of potatoes: 217 calories; 5 g fat (2 g sat, 1 g mono); 8 mg cholesterol; 39 g carbohydrate; 5 g protein; 3 g fiber; 665 mg sodium.

Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (60% daily value), Potassium (44% dv).

2 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings


Per serving of gravy (chunky): 44 calories; 2 g fat (0 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 5 g carbohydrate; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 510 mg sodium.

0 Carbohydrate Servings

TIP: Ingredient note: Commercial vegetable broth is readily available in natural-foods stores and many supermarkets. We especially like the Imagine and Pacific brands, sold in convenient aseptic packages that allow you to use small amounts and keep the rest refrigerated.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Keep the potatoes hot, covered with parchment or wax paper, over a pan of barely simmering water for up to 1 hour.

RELATED RECIPES: Portobello Gravy | Smashed Spiced Sweet Potatoes | Crushed Red Potatoes with Buttermilk | Sweet Potato Casserole | Sweet Potato-Turkey Hash | Roast Turkey with Madeira Gravy