What is a puree? How do I make a puree? How can I use a puree?
What is a puree?
A puree is made using fruits and/or vegetables to create a smooth, sauce-like substance to be added to a recipe in one way or another.
Is pureeing the same thing as blending?
Not technically. Technically speaking, blending requires multiple ingredients being added to a blender to make a single food product such as a milkshake or smoothie. Pureeing is usually made with only one item such as a tomato puree is made with only tomatoes.
How do I make a puree?
The best way to know how to make a puree is to experiment with puree recipes so that you can get the hang of it.
Cauliflower Purée with Thyme
https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/cauliflower-puree.html#tabbox
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower (about 2 lbs.), cut into 1/2-inch pieces (don’t worry about keeping florets intact)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring the chicken broth and salt to a boil.
- Add the cauliflower; bring back to a boil.
- Cover, reduce the heat to low and steam for 20 minutes, or until cauliflower is very tender.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower to a food processor.
- Add 3 tablespoons of chicken broth from the pot, along with the butter.
- Process until smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Add thyme and process until just combined.
Strawberry puree
https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/strawberry-puree/
Ingredients
- 350g Strawberries
Instructions
Method 1 (Raw Strawberries)
- Wash strawberries and then hull
- Place strawberries in a food processor or blender and process until smooth (or desired consistency).
- If the seeds bother you, or your kids, you can pass the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to separate them.
Method 2 (Cooked Strawberries)
- Wash strawberries and then hull
- Half or quarter the strawberries, add to a pan and allow to simmer over very low heat for 15 mins.
- Place strawberries in a food processor or blender and process until smooth (or desired consistency).
How can I use a puree?
Pureed foods can be added as a side dish, flavor enhancement, an element of a dish to bring other flavors together and purees can be used as decor when plating.
Meatloaf Sliders With Chipotle Bbq Sauce And Sweet Potato Puree
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 BBQ sauce
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Sweet Potatoes:
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon ghee, coconut oil or butter
Chipotle BBQ Sauce:
- 1 6oz can tomato paste
- 2-3 tablespoons apple cider
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- Chipotle powder, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Sea salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- For the meatloaf, in a large sauté pan, cook onion in coconut oil over medium heat. Once soft, add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- In a large bowl, place ground beef and add the sautéed onion and garlic, bbq sauce, sea salt, black pepper, and thyme. Mix by hand. Hand roll the mixture into 8-10 small to medium balls and place them in the rounds of a muffin tray. Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, in a large pot filled with water, boil sweet potatoes until tender. Drain water and add ghee. Puree the potatoes with an immersion blender, or mash by hand. Transfer mixture to a piping bag, or ziplock bag, with the tip cut. Decorate like a cupcake and voila! Top with more BBQ sauce to pack a bigger punch.
- For the chipotle sauce, combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl. Whisk everything together. Modify as desired and taste as you go so it’s just the way you like it.
