A Variety of Mashed Potato Recipes to Add Creamy Goodness to Dinner
You can take a basic mashed potato recipe and jazz it up a dozen or more ways to create favorite mashed potato recipes for any occasion or meal.
Basic Mashed Potato Recipe
2 pounds Red Potaoes, Russet Potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes
1 tablespoon salt, or more to taste
1 cup milk or cream
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Peel and quarter large potatoes; cut smaller potatoes in half. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain.
In a small saucepan heat butter and milk over low heat until butter is melted. Using a potato masher or electric beater, slowly blend milk mixture into potatoes until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serves 4
Mashed Potato Tips:
You can just scrub potatoes and leave the peels on if you choose. Potato peelings add fiber and nutrition. Red potatoes are thin-skinned so their peels mix in easily.
You can also make mashed potatoes by baking the potatoes instead of boiling them. When the potatoes are tender, cut them in half, scoop them out of their skins, and mash them with warm milk and butter. Season to taste.
Add the warmed milk/butter mixture slowly until you have the consistency you want. Too much milk will make your mashed potatoes runny.
There are several tools to choose from to mash your potatoes. Some people prefer their mashed potoates to be somewhat "lumpy;" other like them silky smooth. The mashing method you choose will determine the outcome.
Potato Masher: This "old-fashioned" hand-held tool uses your energy to mash potatoes. Many "mashed potato purists" believe it is the only way to get perfect mashed potatoes.
Potato Ricer: Scoop small amounts at a time of cooked, drained, potatoes into the potato ricer. Press hot, drained potatoes through ricer into a bowl. Use the "riced" potatoes in your favorite mashed potato recipe.
Electric Mixer: For electric-mixer mashing, transfer hot, drained potatoes to the mixer bowl fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed, until most lumps have disappeared, about 1 minute. Add butter; mix until blended. On low speed, slowly add hot milk until potatoes are the consistency that you want. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Tip: Don't overbeat the potatoes or mash them in a food processor, which will turn them gummy.
Add Flavor to Your Mashed Potato Recipe
The wonderful flavor of basic mashed potatoes can be enhanced in a multitude of ways.
Garlic mashed potatoes are popular. You can simply add a few cloves of garlic to the water as you boil your potatoes.
Cheesy mashed potatoes are yummy! Use whatever cheeses you have on hand to achieve the flavor you love. We have used cheddar, parmesan, bleu cheese, cream cheese and many other cheeses.
Other flavorings can include nutmeg, onion salt, sautéed onions, or whatever other flavorings you choose.
Potatoes are the perfect side dish to chicken recipes. You can find over 100 delicious Chicken Recipes to go with your favourite potato recipe.
What are Your Favorite Potato Recipes?
We know that everyone has a favorite potato recipe because, in most families, potatoes are served several times each week. What are your favorite potato recipes? Share them!
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