Name: Merchanos (Assyrian Mashed Potatoes)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 medium potatoes ((peeled)); 2 tsp salt ((divided)); 1 Tbsp butter ((optional)); 2½ Tsp olive oil; 1 medium onion ((diced)); 1½ Tbsp tomato paste; 2 scallions ((chopped))

Mashed Potatoes, who doesn't love them? Creamy and filling, the ultimate comfort food! But Merchanos are not like anything you've tried before, unless you're Assyrian. So if you're looking for easy beginner Assyrian recipes, this one is it! Serve with kofta kebab or sumac chicken.

Merchanos, mashed potatoes in a white bowl on a blue placemat

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Let's address the elephant in the room right off the bat... Assyrian mashed potatoes are orange! They get their beautiful color from a small amount of tomato paste that mixed in, along with caramelized onions.

"Merchanos" is derived from the Assyrian word "mreecha" or "smashed." So, mashed potatoes, get it?

We Assyrians love our potatoes! In fact, we use them in all kinds of recipes. This includes Biryani, Potato Chop, and Vegan Lentil Soup (Aadas). However, this Assyrian recipe is one of the easier recipes you'll find so be sure to give it a try!

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🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
🥔 How to Make This Recipe
🍽 More Potato Recipes
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions

Potatoes: Russet or Idaho potatoes.
Onions: You'll need one yellow onion.
Tomato Paste: Tomato paste gives these mashed potatoes their beautiful color.
Spices: All you need is sea salt to season the potatoes, but you can also add paprika if you wish.
Garnish: Merchanos can be garnished with scallions or chopped fresh Italian parsley.

🥔 How to Make This Recipe

Step 1: Roughly chop potatoes and place in a medium-sized pot. Add enough water to cover the potatoes, along with one teaspoon of salt. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer until the potatoes are tender, or approximately 20 minutes, then drain.

chopped potatoes and a tab of butter in a saucepan

Pro Tip: Add a few tablespoons of butter to the boiling potatoes for even creamier potatoes!

Step 2: In a skillet, caramelize chopped onions in olive oil for at least 5 minutes over low heat, then stir in tomato paste. Add the onion and tomato paste mixture and remaining salt to the mashed potatoes. Stir until completely blended.

Step 3: Top with scallions or chopped Italian parsley and enjoy!

Assyrian Mashed potatoes in a white bowl

👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips

Add a few cloves of garlic to the boiling potatoes and mash with the potatoes.
Minced garlic can be added to the onions at the same time you add the tomato paste. Sauté for a minute before adding to the potatoes.
Add a little chicken or vegetable broth for an even creamier texture.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

merchanos (Assyrian mashed potatoes in a white bowl

🍽 More Potato Recipes

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Hilda Sterner