This will be Veronika’s first Thanksgiving eating solid food (last year she was only 1 month old!). This easy mashed potato recipe will be perfect for her holiday table; it’s mild enough for toddlers, but yummy enough to please older kids or grown-ups, too.

Ingredients:

For the potatoes:

• 4 yellow potatoes
• 2 parsnips
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the gravy:

• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons hot water, divided
• 1 vegetable bouillon cube
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

1. To prepare the potatoes, peel and chop the potatoes and parsnips and place in a saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil; continue to cook for 15 minutes, until tender.
2. Drain, reserving the cooking liquid, and return to the pan. Add the olive oil and salt and mash with a potato masher to desired consistency, adding enough reserved cooking liquid as desired for the consistency your toddler likes.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the gravy: dissolve the bouillon cube in 1 cup hot water. Whisk in the soy sauce and poultry seasoning.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 2 tablespoons water. Add the cornstarch mixture to the broth mixture, whisking until combined and thickened.
5. Serve the gravy over the mashed potatoes, and wherever else it would be yummy at your holiday table!