How do you make mashed potatoes

I know it sounds silly and simple but I would like to get your recipes and your secrets.

I don't make it a lot and last time I did I messed it up! Can you believe it?

So since I'm obviously out of practice, give me your hints.

Thanks

Message edited 11/23/2008 7:29:53 PM.

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

Peel and boil potatoes, then drain them.

I put the in a bowl and fork mash them. Then I add butter and warm milk. The warm milk helps them be less lumpy. I usually also add a whole head of garlic that I;ve roasted.

Then I use my electric mixer to mix them until they are smooth. I add salt and pepper to taste.

the warm milk is key though- when I;ve used milk straight out of the fridge the potatoes are always lumpier.

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

I peel and quarter the potatoes. Boil with a lot of salt in the water until they are fork tender. Drain and butter and mash with a hand masher. Then I add warm cream and beat with my hand mixer until smooth and creamy.

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

boil salted peeled potatoes until fork tender
drain all the water out of them. i use my hand mixer and mix warm milk or cream and lots of butter and a little salt and pepper. Sometimes i add a little sour cream if im in the mood.

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

This is how my Mom used to make them....

Take brown potoaotes and peel them, cut into smaller pieces- try to make uniform, it will be quicker to cook them.
put in water, keep at a low boil till tender. Drain and leave some water in them, add margarine , salt , pepper etc. beat with a electric mixer. (I grew up in a Kosher home so she used water instead of milk and margarine or chicken fat in place of butter. ) You can sub milk or butter. HTH

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

I've found that using Yukon Gold potatoes makes the fluffiest, tastiest mashed potatoes..I wash and leave the skins on (if I am in the mood) and boil them until soft..add butter, mash, and add salt, pepper and a bit of milk if necessary...delish!

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

I cut up red potatoes and I leave the skin on.

Boil them then drain.

Then I add butter, milk and salt and I use my electric mixer to mash them, adding more of any ingredients as I go along.

I love mashed potatoes with the skin on only when they are made with the red potatoes.

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

I buy red and white creamer potatoes.... I boil them with the skin on... put through a potato ricer with butter salt and cream. I sometimes mix the skins in... I never peel before boiling... because the potatoes will then absorb more water

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

I always use Yukon Gold potatoes. Peel and cut into smaller sizes, boil until tender. Drain. I use a little salt and pepper, half and half, and lots of butter. I use my KitchenAid mixer to get them nice and whipped!

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

Peel, boil, drain and push through a sieve.

If I feel like chunky ones, I boil and mash add butter and milk, salt and pepper, and bob is your uncle!

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

Peel and boil (in water with a little salt) the potatoes.

Then throw in the mixer and add butter and milk until creamy. At the end when it is at the consistency you want, I add salt and pepper and a tablespoon of mayo.

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

I used to make them all the time and I always used Yukons. Maybe that's where I went wrong. Also warm milk. I used cold and cold butter. Maybe both should be warm.

I never had a problem before last time and I was very embarassed to serve glue like mashed potatoes.

Why did it turn into glue?

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

I learned a bunch of tips from Cook's Illustrated:

Don't peel or cut the potatoes before boiling. Otherwise they'll absorb too much water and taste unpotato-y.

Add melted butter and warm cream (half and half).

The butter must be added before the cream, or the potatoes will get gluey and heavy.

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

3 lbs Yukon gold or Red Potatoes peeled and cut up in chunks
4 cloves of garlic chopped very fine
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 cup half and half or heavy cream
chopped parsley

cook potatoes in boiling salted water
in a small pot melt butter and garlic together
be careful not to burn butter or garlic
add 1/2 or heavy cream and warm
Add to drained potatoes and mash
sometimes u need to add more cream or butter
mix in parsley salt and pepper

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

I make mine in the crockpot and they come out AMAZING.

Quarter a bunch of red potatoes -- dont peel them. Pu them in the bottom of the crockpot. Add 4 cloves of chopped garlic, 2 tbsp. oil, 1 tsp. salt, and about 1/2 cup of water. Cover and cook on HIgh setting for about 3 hours.

When they are done, use fork to mash the potatoes (they'll be very easy to mash). Then add 1/2 cup of Chives and Onion cream cheese (from an 8oz. Philadelphia container) and enough milk to make creamy (about 1/4 cup). Mix together well and serve.

They come out sooooo creamy and good -- they taste like restaurant mashed potatoes

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

Peel, cut and then boil potatoes until tender.

Add butter and 1/2 and 1/2.

For mashed potatoes use a hand masher.

For whipped potatoes - add an egg and whip with mixer.

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

hand masher...mom told me this and I thought she was batty.

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

These are amazing:

Tangy Casserole Potatoes

12 medium size all purpose potatoes peeled & Halved
1/2 cup butter or margarine
8 oz cream cheese cut in small pieces
1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp paprika

Put potatoes & enough water to cover in a large pot on high heat. Cover & bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium. Partially cover & cook at low boil 20 minutes or until tender. Drain & add cream cheese, remove from heat. Beat with a wooden spoon until cream cheese is melted & mixture fairly smooth. Mix potatoes w/mixer into butter mixture. Add sour cream, salt & pepper and beat until smooth. Spread evenly into a greased 13x9x2 baking dish or a shallow 2 1/2 casserole. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover & refrigerate over night or until cooking time. Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before baking. Uncover & bake in preheated 350• oven for about 35 minutes until heated through & slight crust forms.

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

I'm making 5 lbs for Thanksgiving, same as last year.

basically...

peel, cut them into cubes and boil until you can pierce a potato cube with a fork.

drain

then dump the potatoes in my mixer and add butter, milk S&P (all to taste). I let the machine go for at least 5 minutes. I love when they're really creamy

eta: use Yukon gold, they're the best IMO

eta #2: a tip I got from Emeril, after you've drained the water, put the potatoes back in the pot with nothing else and turn the stove back on for 30-45 seconds. this will ensure that ALL the excess water is evaporated.

Message edited 11/24/2008 7:20:57 PM.

Re: How do you make mashed potatoes

Use sour cream. My mom always puts sour cream in her mashed and they are so yummy.

I also prefer not to use a ricer/electric mixer. I like to mash by using a good old masher.