Truffled Fingerling Smashed Potatoes

Root vegetables like turnips, rutabagas, and potatoes taste better when you haven't harmed yourself while preparing them. Daniel Duane shows you how to peel root veggies without peeling your knuckles.

Sunset magazine food editor Margo True has learned the rights and wrongs of mashed potatoes from a reliable source—her mother. Here, she demonstrates the wrong way (undercooking waxy potatoes, skimping on the cream, or, horror of all horrors, employing a food processor to mash) and the right way (using russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, cooking them as long as possible, drying them over heat before adding lots of cream, and topping with herbs). This approach elevates mashed potatoes to their rightful status as much more than a side dish. (Click here for Margo's mashed potatoes recipe.)

In this episode of Chow-to, Guillermo visits a Greenwich Village institution for all things English, Tea and Sympathy. He meets with Nicky Perry (owner and founder) to learn her family’s easy recipe for beef shepherd’s pie (which technically in modern British English is a cottage pie). No matter what you call it, this quarantine-friendly comfort dish uses some ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and will make you feel cozy all year round. This is an excellent way to make something delicious and inexpensive (you only need ground meat, potatoes, carrots and frozen peas!) that will last for a couple of days, making it perfect for cooking during lockdown.

In the Armenian neighborhood of Glendale, Los Angeles, Armen and his family have been serving up mini kabobs to hungry to loyal customers for more than thirty years! Every morning they start whipping together fresh ingredients - fresh potatoes, red ripe tomatoes, and grandma’s special hummus recipe. We took a trip to this local attraction to witness their juicy skewers on the flaming grill and hear more about their generational story.

This hearty beef stew is easy, but not lazy. Braising the meat in red wine and beef broth for an hour before adding the carrots and potatoes ensures the vegetables are tender, not mushy. Frozen peas stirred in at the end add a pop of color and freshness. Get the recipe.