Infusing liquid—cream, milk, or stock can all be used in this recipe—with herbs is a simple yet effective way to add depth of flavor to purees and other preparations (see the gratin on page 320). Garlic is a complementary flavor for potatoes; we boiled the cloves along with the potatoes to mellow their flavor, but you can use Oven-Poached Garlic instead (page 306). For a lighter-bodied puree, replace the cream with milk or stock, or use a combination. For a richer puree, reduce 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream by half, then infuse with herbs.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 cups

　　3/4 cup heavy cream, plus more for reheating (optional)

　　1 to 2 tablespoons rosemary leaves (from about 2 sprigs)

　　1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

　　2 pounds red or white potatoes

　　2 garlic cloves, peeled

　　Coarse salt and freshly ground white pepper

　　

Step 1

Infuse cream Bring cream and rosemary to a simmer in a small pot, then remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve (to remove the herbs as well as any skin that might have formed) and clean pot, then return cream to pot. Add butter and heat over medium until melted, stirring to combine. Cover and keep warm (either over lowest setting on the stove or in a warm spot).

　　

Step 2

Meanwhile, boil potatoes Peel and cut potatoes into 1 1/2-inch pieces, then place in a medium stockpot and cover with water. Add the garlic and a generous amount of salt and bring to a boil, then reduce to a rapid simmer. Cook until potatoes are very tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, about 15 minutes. Drain well, then return to pot and set over low heat, stirring until the potatoes are thoroughly dry.

　　

Step 3

Puree While potatoes are still hot, pass through a ricer or a food mill fitted with the fine disk. Stir in cream mixture and season with salt and pepper. If a finer texture is desired, pass puree through a medium-mesh sieve, pressing on solids with a rubber spatula to extract as much puree as possible. Reheat over medium heat with a little more cream (or water), if necessary, before serving.

　　

Variations

Step 4

For a rustic puree, pass the potatoes through the large disk of a food mill, and enrich with 1/4 cup each of olive oil and butter (omit cream and rosemary). Finish by stirring in chopped flat-leaf parsley and freshly ground black pepper, if desired.

　　

Step 5

For mashed potatoes, crush the potatoes with a potato masher; add just enough cream and butter to achieve the desired consistency, mashing to combine. Season with salt and white pepper.

　　Reprinted with permission from Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook by Martha Stewart. Copyright © 2008 by Martha Stewart. Published by Crown Publishing. All Rights Reserved.Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of bestselling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the Emmy-winning, daily national syndicated program, and founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which publishes several magazines, including Martha Stewart Living; produces Martha Stewart Living Radio, channel 112 on SIRIUS Satellite Radio; and provides a wealth of ideas and information on www.marthastewart.com.