Stamppot

Stamppot (English: 'Mash Pot') is a traditional Dutch dish made from a combination of potatoes mashed with one or several other vegetables, sometimes also with bacon. These vegetable pairings traditionally include sauerkraut, endive, kale, spinach, turnip greens, or carrot and onion (the combination of the latter two is known as hutspot in the Netherlands and as wortelstoemp in Belgium). It is usually served with sausage (in the Netherlands often smoked, in Belgium more often fried) or stewed meat. The origin of stamppot is unknown.

There are two methods of preparing stamppot, the first being the more modern form:

1. Stamppot is prepared by boiling the vegetables and potatoes separately. Once done the potatoes are added to the same pot as the vegetables and all are thoroughly mashed together. Rookworst, a type of smoked sausage is the preferred piece of meat to be added to the dish.
   
   
2. Stamppot can also be made in a single pot. Potatoes, onions, and the vegetable of choice are peeled and placed in the pot with the sausage. Water is added, and the mixture is left to boil. After the vegetables are cooked and drained, some milk, butter and salt are added, and the vegetables are mashed together. An example is hutspot.

Lardons (spekjes) are often added for flavoring. It is also common to make a small hole in the top of the mix on the plate and fill it with gravy, known in Dutch as a kuiltje jus (little gravy pit).

Stamppot

This recipe is from Holland. It's hearty and a delicious way to get your greens. Several reviewers cook the sausage with their potatoes and take it out before mashing.

3 lbs potatoes
2 onions
1 bay leaf
1 lb kale
1 pinch salt
1 pinch ground pepper
1 lb smoked sausage
1⁄2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter

Peel and dice potatoes and onions.

Clean, trim and slice kale.

Add the potatoes, onion, kale, a bay leaf, a pinch of salt and just enough water to cover all in a 3 quart pan.

Cover and boil gently for about 25 minutes.

Meanwhile steam the smoked sausage for the same amount of time and slice.

Remove the bay leaf, drain the vegetables, and mash them.

Add milk and butter to the vegetables. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with the hot, sliced smoked sausage.