Stamppot
A hearty and traditional Dutch mashed potato dish, stamppot is made by mashing potatoes with various cooked vegetables like kale, endive, or sauerkraut. It's typically served with a smoked sausage (rookworst) and a rich gravy.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Potatoes(Starchy potatoes like Russets or Maris Piper are best for mashing.)
- 500 g Kale or Endive(Fresh kale or endive. If using kale, remove tough stems.)
- 4 Rookworst(Pre-cooked Dutch smoked sausages. Can be substituted with other good quality smoked sausages.)
- 50 g Butter(Unsalted butter, softened.)
- 100 ml Milk(Whole milk is recommended for richness. Warm it slightly before adding.)
- 150 g Bacon(Optional. Smoked streaky bacon, diced.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
- for serving Gravy(A simple onion or mushroom gravy is traditional.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the vegetables: Peel the potatoes and cut them into roughly equal-sized chunks. Wash the kale (or endive), remove any tough stems, and chop it into bite-sized pieces. If using endive, you can leave it in larger pieces as it wilts down significantly.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Cook the potatoes: Place the potato chunks in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain well.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 3
Cook the greens and sausages: While the potatoes are cooking, bring a separate pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the chopped kale and cook for about 5-7 minutes until tender. Drain thoroughly. In another pot, add enough water to cover the rookworst and bring to a simmer (do not boil). Gently poach the sausages for about 10 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, you can cook the sausages in the same water as the potatoes during the last 10 minutes of their cooking time.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 4
Mash the potatoes: Return the drained potatoes to their original pot. Add the butter and warm milk. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy, using a potato masher or ricer. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Combine and serve: Add the cooked and drained kale (or endive) to the mashed potatoes. Stir and fold until the greens are evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the stamppot hot, traditionally by making a well in the center of the mash and placing a heated rookworst in it. Ladle gravy over the sausage and mash. If using bacon, fry the diced bacon until crisp in a separate pan. Drain off most of the fat, leaving a little in the pan. Spoon the crispy bacon and its rendered fat over the stamppot and sausage.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The type of vegetable used significantly changes the flavor profile of stamppot. Kale is classic and robust, endive is slightly bitter, and sauerkraut adds a tangy element.
- ✓For an extra creamy mash, use a potato ricer instead of a masher.
- ✓Ensure the milk and butter are warm when adding to the potatoes to prevent them from cooling down and becoming gummy.
- ✓Rookworst is a key ingredient for authentic flavor. Its smoky, slightly firm texture is characteristic.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Hutspot: A variation made with a mash of potatoes, carrots, and onions.
- Zuurkoolstamppot: Made with sauerkraut instead of leafy greens, offering a distinct tangy flavor.
- Boerenkoolstamppot: The most common type, using kale.