Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of potatoes (preferably Russet or Yukon Gold)
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions:
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into quarters.
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water.
- Add a teaspoon of salt to the water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Add the butter and use a potato masher or a fork to mash the potatoes until they are mostly smooth.
- Pour in the milk and continue to mash until the potatoes are creamy and free of lumps.
- Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
Note: If you want creamier mashed potatoes, you can add more milk or even a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese. You can also add herbs like chives or parsley for extra flavor.
A treatise on mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are absolutely great, but it seems like most people just make them boring or use instant mixes, which just doesn’t cut it for me. There’s something about homemade mashed potatoes that just hits different, you know? Plus, it’s such a classic and versatile side dish that can be served with almost any meal.
When I make mashed potatoes at home, I always start by using real potatoes – none of that instant stuff for me. I prefer using Yukon gold potatoes, which are buttery and have a creamy texture when mashed. I peel and chop them into even pieces so they cook evenly, then boil them until they’re tender but not mushy.
Once the potatoes are cooked, I drain them and add some butter and milk to get the right consistency. I like my mashed potatoes to be creamy and smooth, but not too runny. This is where you can get creative and add other ingredients to taste. Sometimes I’ll throw in some chopped chives or green onions for a pop of flavor, or even some roasted garlic for a more savory taste.
Overall, homemade mashed potatoes are a classic and delicious side dish that everyone should know how to make. It’s all about using real potatoes and adding your own unique twist to them to make them your own. So ditch the instant mixes and give homemade mashed potatoes a try – you won’t regret it!
~Denny
Some further reading by the experts:
- “Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe” from Food Network: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/garlic-mashed-potatoes-recipe-1941484
- “Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole” from Delish: https://www.delish.com/uk/cooking/recipes/a31035210/loaded-mashed-potato-casserole-recipe/
- “Creamy Parmesan Mashed Potatoes” from Bon Appétit: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/creamy-parmesan-mashed-potatoes
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