Luxury Christmas Camembert Mash - Day 21

The Christmas season is the perfect time to indulge in comforting dishes that add a touch of luxury to your festive celebrations. One such dish that embodies this spirit is Luxury Christmas Camembert Mash. This unique twist on traditional mashed potatoes incorporates the creamy, rich flavour of Camembert cheese, elevating the dish to a new level of indulgence. Ideal for festive gatherings, this recipe will surely leave a lasting impression on your guests. Whether you’re planning a large family meal or a more intimate get-together, this dish promises to bring warmth and joy to your table.

Combining the velvety texture of perfectly mashed potatoes with the distinct creaminess of Camembert, it transforms a classic comfort food into an opulent holiday treat. Embrace the festive spirit by serving this mash as a delightful side dish that pairs wonderfully with roasted meats and seasonal vegetables. It’s a recipe that celebrates the richness of the season, making your Christmas meal even more memorable.

Creating Luxury Christmas Camembert Mash calls for premium ingredients that contribute to its exceptional taste and texture. Begin with selecting your potatoes; Maris Piper and King Edward are the top choices due to their starchy nature, which helps in achieving a velvety mash. The star ingredient, Camembert cheese, should be of high quality. This cheese brings a rich, creamy flavour and smooth texture that elevates the dish.

You’ll also need double cream to enhance the mash’s creaminess. This ingredient ensures a lush, silky finish, making the mash irresistibly smooth. Unsalted butter is another essential component, offering a rich taste without adding extra saltiness. Using sea salt and freshly ground black pepper allows you to season the dish perfectly, adding depth without overpowering the primary flavours.

For those who appreciate a touch of herbaceousness, fresh thyme or rosemary can be included. These herbs add an aromatic element that complements the cheese and potatoes beautifully.

Ensure your ingredients are of the highest quality for the best results. The potatoes should be firm and free from imperfections. A good wheel of Camembert will have a ripe, aromatic rind and a creamy centre, offering the best melt and flavour. Choose organic double cream and unsalted butter if possible, as these will contribute to the dish’s overall luxurious taste. Fresh herbs, if used, should be vibrant and fragrant.

Gather all your ingredients before starting the preparation to streamline the cooking process. This ensures you won’t have to pause midway, allowing you to focus on creating a flawless dish.

To create this delightful festive dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Olive Oil: for slowly softening the onions
• 4 Large Onions: (800g roughly, finely sliced)
• 1/2 tsp Salt: to add seasoning to the onions
• 1 tsp Granulated Sugar,
• 1 kg of Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes: These varieties are preferred for their high starch content, which results in a creamy and fluffy mash.
• 1 wheel of Camembert (approximately 250g): Ensure the cheese is of premium quality with a creamy centre and ripe rind for the best flavour.
• 100 ml of double cream: This ingredient contributes to the mash’s luxurious, silky texture.
• 50 g of unsalted butter: Opt for a high-quality butter to enhance the richness without adding unnecessary saltiness.
• Sea salt: Use to season the dish as needed.
• Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a touch of spice and enhances the overall taste.
• Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs (optional): These herbs can provide a subtle aromatic element to the mash, complementing the rich flavour of the Camembert and potatoes.
• Garlic cloves: Used to add an added dimension to the dish.

Make sure to have all these ingredients ready before you begin the preparation process.

When it comes to crafting the ultimate Luxury Christmas Camembert Mash, the quality of your ingredients is paramount. Starting with the potatoes, Maris Piper and King Edward varieties are the top choices. Their high starch content is crucial for achieving a fluffy and creamy texture, which is the hallmark of an exceptional mash. Ensure the potatoes you select are firm and free from blemishes or green spots, as these imperfections can affect both taste and texture.

For the star ingredient, Camembert cheese, opt for a high-quality wheel. Look for a cheese with a creamy centre and a ripe, aromatic rind. The cheese should feel slightly springy to the touch, indicating its ripeness and readiness to melt smoothly into the mash. Avoid using pre-packaged, processed varieties, as they won’t deliver the same rich, luxurious flavour.

The butter and cream you choose also play a significant role in the dish's overall taste. High-quality, organic options are recommended if possible. Unsalted butter is preferred as it allows you to control the saltiness of the dish, ensuring the perfect balance of flavours. The double cream should be rich and fresh, contributing to the silky, smooth texture that makes this mash so indulgent.

Incorporating fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can add an extra layer of sophistication to your mash. Choose herbs that are vibrant and fragrant, as these will provide the best aromatic quality. While these herbs are optional, they can elevate the dish’s flavour profile, making it even more special for festive occasions.

When preparing your ingredients, take care to handle them properly. For example, keep your Camembert at room temperature before using it, as this makes it easier to blend into the hot potatoes. Similarly, allowing your butter to soften slightly before adding it to the mash can help it incorporate more smoothly, resulting in a more cohesive and creamy texture.

Attention to detail is key in every step of the preparation process. After boiling your potatoes, make sure to drain them thoroughly to remove any excess moisture, which can make the mash watery. Allowing the potatoes to steam dry in the pot for a couple of minutes can help achieve the perfect consistency. If you’re aiming for an ultra-smooth mash, consider using a potato ricer or food mill, which can make a noticeable difference in texture.

Remember, the quality of your ingredients will directly impact the final dish. Taking the time to select and prepare the best possible components will ensure your Luxury Christmas Camembert Mash is a standout at any festive gathering.

Method

1. First the caramelised onions. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over a medium heat, adding the onions and salt. Fry gently for around 10 minutes stirring every now and then.

2. Sprinkle over the sugar and continue to cook stirring more as they start to become softer. Allow them to catch slightly on the base of the pan before stirring again as this helps them to caramelise.
3. Once they are a rich caramelised colour, season to taste and set aside.

4. Preparing the Potatoes: Begin by peeling the potatoes and cutting them into even-sized chunks. Uniform pieces ensure that the potatoes cook evenly. Place the chunks into a large pot and cover them with cold water, adding a generous pinch of sea salt to the water.
5. Cooking the Potatoes: Set the pot over medium heat and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, which should take about 15-20 minutes. You can test their doneness by inserting a fork; the potatoes should break apart easily.

6. Getting the Camembert Ready: While the potatoes are cooking, remove the Camembert from the fridge. Cut Each Camembert in half and set to one side.
7. Once the potatoes, drain them thoroughly and return them to the pot. Add the unsalted butter and double cream to the hot potatoes. Mash the mixture until it reaches a smooth consistency.

8. Next its time to put it all together. Taking a dish put a generous layer on your cooled caramelised onions on the base and top with the velvety smooth mash. Taking a camembert half, place in the centre of the mash and press down to secure into place.
9. Taking a sharp knife, score the camembert rind in a criss cross pattern and stuff optional rosemary and garlic into the rind.

10. Finish with salt and pepper seasoning and pop back into the oven for a further 15-20 minutes or until the camembert is oozing and bubbly and the mash is golden.

This step-by-step method ensures that your Luxury Christmas Camembert Mash is prepared to perfection, making it a delightful addition to your festive table.

Serve your Luxury Christmas Camembert Mash immediately while it's still hot. This dish pairs wonderfully with roast meats and seasonal vegetables, making it an ideal addition to your festive dinner spread. Its creamy, rich texture and luxurious flavour will surely make it a cherished favourite among your holiday recipes.

If you make this dish, why not send me a picture on Instagram using the #acountrygirlskitchen so I can go over and show it some love.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

*Chefs Kiss*