Comforting Mash Recipes

Steps:

• Tip the potatoes into a large pan, cover with cold water and sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt. Set the pan over a high heat and bring to the boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15-20 mins until the potatoes are very tender - they should be able to be easily pierced with the tip of a knife. Drain well, then return to the pan and leave to steam-dry for 5 mins.
• Pass the potatoes through a ricer into a large bowl for a lump-free mash (you may need to do this in batches). Alternatively, mash with a potato masher until smooth, then press through a sieve using the back of a spoon to get rid of any remaining lumps.
• Tip the 50g Yeo Valley Organic salted butter, the milk and some seasoning into the bowl with the hot mash. Beat everything together with a wooden spoon or spatula until the butter has melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add a splash more milk to loosen, if needed. Top with the remaining 1 tbsp butter and leave it to melt for a few seconds before serving.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in an ovenproof frying pan and gently sizzle the sausages over a medium-high heat for 8-10 mins, turning them, until browned on all sides. Transfer to a plate, then put the butter in the pan and heat until sizzling. Scatter in the onions, stirring them into the butter, then add the thyme sprig, bay and sugar. Give everything a final stir, then put the sausages on top and drizzle over any juices from the plate. Roast everything for 20 mins, turning the sausages halfway through.
• Meanwhile, make the mash. Tip the potatoes into a pan of cold salted water and bring to the boil, then turn down and simmer for 10-12 mins or until just cooked all the way through (the tip of a knife should slide in easily). Drain in a colander and leave for a minute. Tip the milk into the pan and bring to a simmer, then pass the potatoes through a ricer into the hot milk and mash thoroughly. Once mashed, beat with a wooden spoon or spatula over very low heat, then beat in the butter a few bits at a time. You should have extra-fluffy, smooth mash. Keep it warm.
• When the sausages are cooked, remove from the oven, turn the oven off and lift the sausages onto a tray. Return them to the oven to keep warm. Put the pan back on the heat and give the roasted onions a stir, they should be sticky and slightly burnt around the edges. Sizzle for a minute or two more to caramelise, then stir in the flour and cook for another minute. Splash in the vinegar, simmer for a minute, then pour over the red wine and soy, and bubble down to a gloopy paste. Pour over the stock and boil for 3-4 mins, or until you have a rich gravy. If you prefer, scoop out the thyme and bay, or just leave it in. Tip into a bowl or gravy jug with a serving spoon for the onions. Bring everything to the table and scoop a big mound of mash onto the middle of each plate, then top with the sausages and gravy.