A root vegetable mash with lots of flavour. It is an excellent side dish with steaks or roast beef. You can make the mash ahead and reheat on top of stove, beating in some extra, hot stock.

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken stock or water
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
• 2 lb (1 kg) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut in 2-inch dice
• 1 small celery root, peeled and cut into 1-inch dice
• 2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch dice
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp grated horseradish, optional
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
• ¼ cup whipping cream, optional
• Salt and freshly ground pepper 

Garnish

• 1 leek, dark green leaves removed
• ¼ cup vegetable oil for frying
• Salt to taste

Method

Combine stock and garlic in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Bring to boil, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer 5 minutes. Add potatoes and cook 5 minutes. Add celery root and parsnips and cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until all vegetables are soft. Drain vegetables, reserving liquid.

Mash vegetables with a potato masher. Stir in oil, horseradish, parsley, mint and cream. Add reserved liquid as needed to make a soft purée. Season to taste. Pile in a dish.

Cut leek into long julienne strips. Heat oil in small skillet until very hot. Add leeks and cook for 20 seconds or until golden brown. Remove immediately from oil and drain on paper towels. Season with salt. Strew on top of potatoes.