garlic – Hanging Out in the Kitchen

These are reminiscent of a savory preparation of mashed sweet potatoes, plus you get to use up a big chunk of summer produce in a somewhat novel way! Serve these with anything you’d normally serve with mashed potatoes for a tasty, colorful twist.

Mashed Garlic Butter Carrots

Serves 4-6
Hands-On Time: 15 min
Total Time: 30 min

Ingredients

2 lbs carrots, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled
4 TBSP unsalted butter
Salt to taste + for cooking water

Bring salted water to a boil in a large stockpot. Once boiling, add carrots and garlic and continue to boil until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.

Drain the carrots and garlic and place in a medium bowl with butter. Using a fork or potato masher (I use this one from Williams-Sonoma and like it) mash the carrots and garlic together until they’ve reached a mostly smooth consistency. Season with additional salt to taste.

A few weeks ago, NYTFood published a list of quick and easy summer meal ideas by Mark Bittman. I made one of the suggestions while rushing to get out the door to the airport, desperate to avoid overpriced and meh airport and airplane food. It came together like a dream, even allowing for elaboration and personal touches. Keeping the garlic roughly chopped allows it to get soft and roasty, and the crispy prosciutto adds a nice crunch. Here’s my dressed-up take on Bittman’s excellent suggestion.

Pasta with Prosciutto and Breadcrumbs

Adapted from #14 on this list of summer meal ideas

Serves 4-6
Hands-On Time: 15 min
Total Time: 15 min

Ingredients

1 lb linguine
1 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
3 cloves of garlic, peeled, crushed, and roughly chopped
3oz prosciutto, roughly chopped
Juice from 2 large lemons
2 TBP butter
1/4 cup + 2 TBP extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Salt for pasta water
Basil for garnish

Cook pasta according to package directions in heavily salted water. Drain, place in a large bowl, and toss with 2 TBP of olive oil and the lemon juice.

In a large pan, heat the remaining olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the prosciutto and cook for about one minute. Add the garlic, breadcrumbs, and red pepper flakes and cook until the breadcrumbs are toasted and the prosciutto is crispy.

Pour the breadcrumb and prosciutto mixture over the pasta and toss to combine. Serve with basil leaves and lemon slices for garnish!