Homemade Mashed Potato Recipe

by Amansa
(Colorado)

Homemade mashed potatoes are so simple to make that, in my opinion, making "instant" potatoes from a box are just not an option. Here is a basic homemade mashed potato recipe that you can jazz up in many ways:

2 pounds potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
1/2 cup half-and-half
3 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste

Peel the potatoes and cut each potato several large pieces. The large pieces will absorb less water than if you cut them smaller.

Put the cut potatoes into a pot, cover with cold water and add salt.

Bring the potatoes to a boil, reduce the heat, and let them simmer for about 15 minutes.

The potatoes are done when they are tender when pierced with a fork.

Drain the potatoes, then return them to the cooking pot and put them back on the stove briefly at low heat to evaporate most of the water retained in the cooked potatoes.

Remove potatoes from the heat and add a bit more salt and some pepper. Add the half and half and the butter.

Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or a fork.

Enjoy your homemade mashed potato recipe!