Mashed potatoes, a timeless classic, hold a special place in culinary hearts worldwide. Creamy, fluffy, and versatile, they have graced dining tables for centuries, earning their spot as a comforting staple in many cuisines. Whether served as a humble side dish or elevated to a sophisticated main course, mashed potatoes offer endless possibilities for creativity and culinary exploration. From simple and traditional to globally inspired variations, there's a perfect mashed potato recipe to suit every palate and occasion. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the art of crafting the ultimate mashed potatoes, providing step-by-step instructions, expert tips, and a curated selection of the best recipes from around the world. So, grab your apron, fire up the stove, and let's embark on a culinary journey to discover the secrets of making the most delicious and memorable mashed potatoes.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
CLASSIC MASHED POTATOES
Provided by Ina Garten
Time 28m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Peel the potatoes, cut them into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large pot of boiling salted water. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Drain the potatoes in a colander and then return them to the pot.
- Meanwhile, heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan until the butter is melted.
- Using a hand held mixer, break the potatoes up and at low speed slowly add the hot milk/butter mixture to make the potatoes very creamy. Add the sour cream, 2 teaspoons of salt and the pepper and whisk to combine. Serve hot.
CLASSIC MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES
These make-ahead mashed potatoes save me a ton of time on Christmas day. No more frantically whipping the potatoes while hungry family and guests hang around the kitchen! -Marty Rummel, Trout Lake, Washington
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 1h35m
Yield 12 servings (3/4 cup each)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place potatoes in a Dutch oven and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain., In a large bowl, mash potatoes with cream cheese. Combine the egg whites, sour cream, onion powder, salt and pepper; stir into potatoes until blended. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Drizzle with butter. Cover and refrigerate overnight., Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Cover and bake 50 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 160°.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 220 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 22mg cholesterol, Sodium 316mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
CLASSIC MASHED POTATOES
Classic mashed potatoes are the perfect side for our Roast Dry-Brined Turkey.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Place potatoes and 2 tablespoons salt in a large saucepan. Cover with cold water by 2 inches, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat cream, milk, and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until butter melts.
- Drain potatoes, and press through a ricer into a large saucepan. (Alternatively, mash the potatoes with a potato masher until smooth.) Pour warmed cream mixture over potatoes in a slow, steady stream, and stir until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, or keep warm in a covered bowl over simmering water for up to 2 hours.
CLASSIC MASHED POTATOES WITH THREE VARIATIONS
Steps:
- Peel the potatoes, cut them into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large pot of boiling salted water. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Drain the potatoes in a colander and then return them to the pot.
- Meanwhile, heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan until the butter is melted.
- Put the potatoes into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix them for a few seconds on low speed, to break them up. At low speed, slowly add the hot milk/butter mixture to make the potatoes very creamy. Add the sour cream, 2 teaspoons of salt and the pepper and mix to combine. Serve hot.
- Three variations:
- Truffle Butter Mashed Potatoes: Add 3 tablespoons room temperature white truffle butter to the Classic Mashed Potatoes and combine.
- Parmesan Mashed Potatoes: Add 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan to the Classic Mashed Potatoes and combine.
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Place 1/2 cup garlic cloves and 1/2 cup olive oil in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 20 minutes and then add the garlic cloves and 3 tablespoons of the oil to the Classic Mashed Potatoes and combine.
CLASSIC WHIPPED MASHED POTATOES
It's simple: Move quickly and keep them warm, and you'll have creamy, fluffy potatoes ready for your holiday table.
Provided by Michael Anthony
Categories side-dish
Time 45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cook the potatoes: Peel and cut potatoes into big pieces (that can fit in the palm of your hand). Place in a medium saucepan and add enough water to cover the potatoes by an inch or so. Bring to a simmer and add 4 pinches of salt, a bay leaf and a smashed clove of garlic. Cook until the potatoes are just tender, about 15 minutes.
- Potatoes are done when the tip of a knife yields a firm, not mushy texture. Drain the potatoes, discard the bay leaf, and toss the potatoes back into the pan over low heat to dry them out.
- Assemble the mashed potatoes: Pass the potatoes through a ricer and add them back into the warm saucepan. Add butter and stir to melt and combine with the potatoes. Add the milk in two additions, continuing to stir the entire time. Taste and season with more salt. Serve immediately.
CLASSIC MASHED POTATOES
There is no such thing as too many starchy dishes on the holiday buffet table, right? For many families, Thanksgiving dinner wouldn't be right without mashed potatoes. It seems there is always one family member relegated to the task of whipping them at the last minute-an honorable duty. And there is always someone else leaning over his shoulder making sure he adds a bit more butter. If you want to assign mashed potato duty to a family member, but would like to avoid the last minute chaos in the kitchen, know that it works perfectly well to cook and mash potatoes up to 1 hour in advance. They can be kept warm in the top of a double boiler set over simmering water, or reheated in a microwave oven just before serving. If you use the do-ahead plan, be sure to add an extra pat of butter, or two!
Provided by Diane Morgan
Categories Milk/Cream Potato Side Thanksgiving Kid-Friendly Potluck Boil Butter Sugar Conscious Vegetarian Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher Small Plates
Yield Serves 8
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Peel the potatoes and rinse under cold water. Cut each into quarters and place in a 3-to 4-quart saucepan. Cover with cold water, partially cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Uncover, add the 1 teaspoon of salt, and reduce the heat so the water boils gently. Cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter together until the butter has melted and the mixture is hot but not boiling.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the warm pan over low heat for 1 minute to evaporate any excess water. Use a potato masher, ricer, or food mill to mash the potatoes. Stir the milk and butter mixture into the potatoes, a little at a time, until the potatoes are as soft and moist as you like. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, or keep warm in the top of a double boiler, or cover and rewarm in a microwave oven.
CLASSIC MASHED POTATOES
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Season generously with salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until very tender, about 15 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and return to the saucepan over low heat; cook until any remaining water evaporates, about 2 minutes. Add all but 1 tablespoon butter; mash with a potato masher until smooth. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, then gradually mash in the milk until creamy. Transfer to a serving dish; top with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and chopped parsley.
CLASSIC MASHED POTATOES
Provided by Melissa d'Arabian : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Peel the potatoes, cut in half, and place in a pan, then cover with cold salted water. Bring to a boil and continue cooking until the potatoes fall off the fork when pierced, about 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes. Gently press the potatoes through a sieve (or potato ricer) into a large bowl, using a rubber spatula.
- Mix in the butter, milk, sour cream, salt and pepper and stir to blend. Add a tablespoon or 2 more of warm milk, if necessary to obtain the desired consistency. Salt and pepper liberally and serve.
Tips for Making the Best Mashed Potatoes:
- Choose the right potatoes: Russet potatoes are the most common choice for mashed potatoes, as they have a high starch content that makes them creamy and fluffy. Yukon Gold potatoes are also a good option, as they have a slightly buttery flavor.
- Boil the potatoes in salted water: Salting the water helps to flavor the potatoes and prevents them from becoming bland. You can also add a bay leaf or two to the water for extra flavor.
- Drain the potatoes thoroughly: This will help to prevent the mashed potatoes from becoming watery.
- Mash the potatoes with a potato masher, ricer, or food mill: A potato masher will give you a more rustic texture, while a ricer or food mill will produce a smoother puree.
- Add milk, butter, and seasonings to taste: The amount of milk and butter you add will depend on your desired consistency. Start with a small amount and add more as needed. Season the mashed potatoes with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices.
- Serve the mashed potatoes immediately: Mashed potatoes are best served hot and fresh. You can reheat them in the microwave or oven if necessary, but they will not be as good as when they were first made.
Conclusion:
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of meals. By following these tips, you can make the best mashed potatoes that are creamy, fluffy, and full of flavor.
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