Vegan Recipes - Side Dishes

Mashed Potato Volcanoes With Hot Lava

By Nava Atlas

Mashed Potatoz

My sons never wanted mashed potatoes until we read The Trouble With Grownups Berenstain Bears book. In one scene, the cubs are bored with the same old dinner. Mama and Papa impatiently scold the cubs for building volcanoes with their mashed potatoes. I see nothing wrong with making food more amusing, especially if it inspires kids to eat it. After that, the boys asked for "mashed potato volcanoes" regularly.

Volcanoes:

4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons non-hydrogenated margarine
1/2 cup rice milk or soymilk
Salt to taste, optional

Lava:

1 cup rice milk or soy milk
2 1/2 tablespoons unbleached flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup grated cheddar-style nondairy cheese, optional
2 tablespoons ketchup

Greenery:

About 1 cup frozen peas, cooked, or small broccoli florets, steamed

1. Put the diced potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a simmer, then cover and simmer over medium heat until tender, about 15 minutes.

2. When the potatoes are done, drain them and transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the margarine and rice milk or soymilk and stir in. Mash the potatoes well with a potato masher, then add a little salt if desired.

3. In the meantime, make the "lava." Heat the rice milk or soymilk in a small saucepan. Dissolve the flour in just enough water to make it smooth and flowing. When the milk is hot, stir the dissolved flour slowly into the saucepan. Sprinkle in the salt, then the optional cheese and stir until it is melted. Simmer the mixture gently until smooth and thick. Stir the ketchup into the sauce, but leave some red streaks showing, so that it looks "fiery."

4. Divide the mashed potatoes among 4 serving plates. Have everyone shape them into mountains, then press the tops down lightly to flatten. Finally, have them make a small indentation at the very top with their thumb.

5. Have the children arrange some of the peas or broccoli florets around the volcano.

6. Let each child pour some of the "lava" into the indentation at the top of each "volcano" with a small ladle. It should flow down the sides. It's fine if it drips over the "greenery" too. Eat at once, before the lava solidifies into magma! 4 servings

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