Celery Root Purée with Toasted Hazelnuts

A luxuriously smooth and creamy purée combining celery root and potatoes, finished with rich cream, butter, and topped with toasted hazelnuts and hazelnut oil. This elegant side dish offers a sophisticated twist on traditional mashed potatoes.

8 servings
55 min

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds celery root, peeled, cut into 1/2" cubes
  • 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1" cubes
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • cup heavy cream
  • cup whole milk
  • ½ cup chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" cubes
  • 1 to taste Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon good-quality hazelnut oil
  • ¼ cup coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts
  • 1 piece food mill or potato ricer

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Place celery root and potatoes in a large heavy pot. Add cold water to cover; season with salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat; simmer until vegetables can be pierced with a fork, 20-25 minutes.

    25 min

  2. 2.

    Drain vegetables well. Pass vegetables through food mill or potato ricer into same pot.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, bring cream and milk just to a simmer in a medium saucepan; remove from heat. Stir vegetable purée constantly over medium-low heat until excess moisture evaporates, about 2 minutes.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Stir butter into purée a few pieces at a time, blending between additions. Remove from heat; slowly fold in cream mixture until a smooth purée forms. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Purée can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm in a microwave or in a heatproof bowl set over a large pot of simmering water.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Strain hot purée through a medium-mesh sieve into a serving bowl (this makes the texture especially smooth and creamy). Drizzle with oil; scatter hazelnuts over.

    5 min

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