topic Re: Help please...mashed potatoes in Recipes

Help please...mashed potatoes

Magga1234 — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 21:05:16 GMT

I have never had luck with making mashed potatoes...what is the best way to do this? Thanks

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

Happy In the South — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 21:20:22 GMT

Here's what I do and they seem to be a family favorite!

Peel russet potatoes, plan on about 1 potato per person (this is using small potatoes, if you use large baking potatoes, one feeds about 2 people). Chop into chunks. Add to salted, boiling water, enough to cover potatoes. Boil about 20 minutes, until tender. Drain. In a large mixing bowl, add 1 stick of butter, add hot potatoes on top to melt butter, add about 1/3 cup of milk. If you want to make them extra delicious, swap the milk for half and half. May need to add more milk, depends on the consistency you like. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix with mixer on low until everything is mixed well.

Good luck!

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

Pook — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 21:26:22 GMT

@Magga1234 What is the problem you are having? After peeling, boiling the potatoes until fairly soft(russet are usually the best but any work fine), drain them well, mash them with a potato masher or put them through a potato ricer or even use a large fork. Then mix in a few dabs of butter and add small amounts of milk until fluffy or solid (I like half and half or heavy cream). You can also use sour cream or cream cheese. Just don't add too much or they will be runny. I often also use a hand mixer to get them creamier.

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

I am still oxox — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 21:34:11 GMT

I peel and cut my potatoes, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and microwave until they are done, there is enough moisture in the potato so it needs no water

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

kaydee50 — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 21:39:57 GMT

We use instant and they come out fine!

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

RedTop — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 21:40:27 GMT

Use the right potato! Red potatoes and the white all purpose potatoes will NOT make good mashed potatoes.

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

chickenbutt — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 21:45:59 GMT

I probably don't do mine like others, but that's ok. First, I like to keep the peels on. I scrub them good with a brush under the faucet, cut into small chunks, and boil gently until tender.

You want to put them in the pan with cool water so that the process of bringing it to a boil gives you even cooking. I also like to skim off that foamy, starchy stuff before I pour them into the colander.

Then I pour them into a colander to get rid of the water. Then put them back into that hot pan for mashing. That also evaporates any excess water that didn't get strained out in the colander and keeps them hot longer while you finish preparation.

I add a good amount of butter and grate up some hard cheese (I like asiago) and that goes in, with some s&p.

Hand-mash and that's it. Move to serving dish.

I never was one to add a bunch of milk to them because I want them to taste like potatoes. I also never liked how people used to do them, when I was a kid, using a mixer to mash them into baby food. It makes them gluey and just not good. A little texture is nice, so those are the reasons I like to hand-mash mine.

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

JJ7189 — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 21:55:01 GMT

Try the Pioneer Woman's Creamy Mashed Potato recipe. It is easy, failproof and can be found on her website.

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

Eileen in Virginia — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 22:08:08 GMT

Okay, my Mother’s probably spinning in her grave, but we like Simply Potatoes mashed potatoes. I buy the ones with the lowest sodium content, nuke them according to the package directions and stir a couple of pats of butter into them when they’re done. Spoon them into a serving bowl and destroy the evidence.

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

Mz iMac — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 22:13:12 GMT

@Eileen in Virginia wrote:
Spoon them into a serving bowl and destroy the evidence.

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

homedecor1 — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 22:19:48 GMT

@Eileen in Virginia

They are the best! I use them when I'm in a pinch ... and lately, a "pinch" situation has been coming around alot lately!!! (wink)

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

carlycat — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 22:20:21 GMT

1. I don’t peel the potatoes until after cooking, much faster.

2. Mash up the peeled hot potatoes. Here’s the secret and it really works. Add some of the HOT POTATO WATER from the pot you boiled the potatoes in. This makes them creamy,

3. Add butter, sour cream, or milk to taste. Lot of salt. But it’s the hot potato water that does the trick. I struggled till I learned this.

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

loriqvc — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 22:40:29 GMT

My approach is similar to several described here, so I'll skip posting that info—but I will say that a big pile of mashed red potatoes is one of my favorite sides on the planet! I typically leave the skins on while cooking and keep them in the mix while mashing. Like a few other posters, I prefer my mashed potatoes with a little texture rather than the puree you get from a ricer.

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

Scooby Doo — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 22:41:00 GMT

I do all the above EXCEPT I don't like to use the electric mixer on them. I think that makes them like paste. My favorite is the ricer, but a good old potato masher is fine.

I really like Idahoan buttery flavor in the package. They're the bomb.

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

dex — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 23:06:43 GMT

@Magga1234@The only tip I will add is that I put 2or3 garlic cloves in with the potatoes to boil and mash them in with the butter and milk.You must remember to salt the water fairly well that the potatoes are boiled in.

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

Mothertrucker — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 23:15:03 GMT

I really find that boiling potatoes does not make the most flavorful mash...Maybe if you used broth or milk instead of water..

But a few years ago, I started steaming my potatoes and they are so much more flavorful!!!!!

I also use a ricer, but I know that is impractical for a crowd...

Try steaming once, and see how you like it.. The flavor is so much more intense...

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

eddyandme — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 23:29:41 GMT

I don't know if these qualify for mashed potatoes, but here goes:

Been buying the smaller sized yellow (buttery ones) or red/purple ones. I don't peel, just lightly scrub and toss them in my Ninja, pour water in and steam for 45-60min. The I mash them up (if sharing with my Eddy, which I usually do, I'll peel them 'cause read potato peels aren't good for dogs). I then add butter (not too much) and a mixture of sour cream, mayo, and rice vinegar alng with salt and pepper. I find this a lot easier than the peeling/boiing method.

When "cheating" I'll add that same mixtures to the tub. Also, if extra cheese in house, will add.

Now I'm hungry - gotta go "make some" tub potatoes!

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

eddyandme — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 23:36:10 GMT

@Mothertrucker

Great minds think alike! Just posted how I usually make them - right below your post - and I steam them, too!

I've been telling friends for a couple years now that they taste better steamed and I guess they don't believe me (I'm not a "Suzy Homemaker"). I understand from perusing various threads you're quite the cook so you've made my day!

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

Mothertrucker — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 23:37:48 GMT

@eddyandme wrote:
@Mothertrucker

Great minds think alike! Just posted how I usually make them - right below your post - and I steam them, too!

I've been telling friends for a couple years now that they taste better steamed and I guess they don't believe me (I'm not a "Suzy Homemaker"). I understand from perusing various threads you're quite the cook so you've made my day!

Thank you for the compliment! YOU have just made MINE!!!

Re: Help please...mashed potatoes

Mothertrucker — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 23:39:35 GMT

Anyone else like to add a dollop of horseradish to theirs?