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Unique Mashed Potato Dishes In Sacramento

The humble potato, originally cultivated some 10,000 years ago, remains a powerhouse of the American diet and is the fourth largest food crop in the world. With dozens of species of potatoes spanning the globe, there are easily hundreds of variations in preparation. While boiling a potato for consumption is as old as time, preparing mashed potatoes can be traced back to 1747 in "The Art of Cookery," by Hannah Glasse. The ultimate comfort food, mashed potato recipes continue to evolve and improve. Here are five local restaurants keeping the tradition alive.

esquire grill
(credit: Paragary Restaurant Group)

Esquire Grill
1213 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 448-8900
www.paragarys.com/sacramento-restaurants/esquire

The Esquire Grill in Sacramento turns the traditional boiled mashed potato into simple elegance. Chef Scott Ostrander begins with a 50/50 mix of Yukon gold and Russet potatoes. The peeled potatoes are boiled until tender (nothing new there) and then passed through a food mill, a nifty device which makes the them fluffy. By folding ingredients of the same temperature into the hot mash, i.e. hot cream, melted butter and salt, the mixture is sure to combine fully and flawlessly. As a final "screening" measure, the mix is passed through a tammis (a fine mesh screen) which removes any lumps and ensures utter smoothness. The best qualities of food preparation rely on simplicity and precision, never more so exemplified by Esquire's mashed potatoes, served plain.

Jack's Urban Eats
1230 20th St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 444-0307
www.jacksurbaneats.com

Whoever said gravy was the only topping suitable for mashed potatoes? Lots of other flavors and toppings have their place on a bed of creamy starch. At Jack's Urban Eats, even though it isn't listed on the paper menu, melted cheese and/or garlic can be mixed into your mashed potatoes, by request. Want more adventure? Blue cheese mashed potatoes is an option, and is both savory and delicious.

the porch
(credit: theporchsacramento.com)

The Porch Restaurant
1815 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-2423
www.theporchrestaurantandbar.com

When gravy isn't in play, the most popular variation on mashed potatoes is to add garlic. The Porch serves delightful roasted garlic mashers, rich and flavorful with a sweet garlic bite. Sweet potatoes, though not technically a potato, are also a wonderful comfort in the winter. The Porch, at the forefront of innovation, offers an exceptional dish: candied yams with marshmallow pecan gratin.

Related: Best Apple Pie In Sacramento

iron-grill
(credit: Iron Grill)

Iron Grill
2422 13th St.
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 737-5115
www.grill.ironsteaks.com

Chef Keith of the Iron Grill also offers garlic mashed potatoes, comprised of roasted garlic, lightly sauteed, and combined with butter, cream and salt. The recipe is simple, perhaps even common, but that's merely a testament to how well received warm garlic mashed potatoes are by the tongue. The Iron Grill also serves a twice baked potato. The center of the potato is scooped out, mashed, blended with salt and sour cream and then topped with house-made bacon and white cheddar. This dish combines the best of two potato titans: the creamy comfort of mashed potatoes and the bacon and cheese of a loaded baked potato.

The Plum Cafe & Bakery
2315 K St.
Sacramento CA, 95816
(916) 706-3302
www.plumcafebakery.com

Rather than using traditional white potatoes, Plum Cafe, best known for its vegan dishes, serves a sweet potato mash, no need for butter or cream. Though hidden under the basics/sides in the vegetable category, sweet potatoes offer a rich elegant flavor. Have it alongside the sweet potato, avocado panini and experience the range of nutrition and flavor a sweet potato can provide.

Related: Best Pumpkin Treats In Sacramento

Laurel Hanson is a freelance writer uncovering Sacramento's healthy food secrets in local restaurants, locavore havens, and even local foraging. Her work can be found on Examiner.com

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