Light And Silky Mashed Potatoes Recipes

LIGHT MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• In 4-quart saucepan, combine potatoes and enough water to cover; heat to boiling on high.
• Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 8-10 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender.
• Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water; drain potatoes.
• Return potatoes to saucepan.
• Mash with margarine and 3/4 teaspoon salt.
• Gradually add warm half-and-half, continuing to mash potatoes until smooth and well blended; add reserved cooking water if necessary.
• Transfer to serving dish.

SILKY MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• In a 5-quart pan, place potatoes and cover with cold water by 1 inch; add 1 tablespoon coarse salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain; return potatoes to pan.
• Over medium heat, stir potatoes until dry (a film of starch will form on bottom of pan), about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring milk and butter to a simmer; pour over potatoes. Add cream cheese; season generously with salt. Mash just until smooth, being careful not to overmash.

SILKY GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Scrub potatoes. Leave skins on, if desired, or peel thinly and remove eyes. Leave whole or cut into large pieces.
• Heat 1 inch water (salted if desired) to boiling; add potatoes and garlic. Cover and heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cook whole potatoes 30 to 35 minutes, potato pieces 20 to 25 minutes or until tender; drain. Shake pan gently over low heat to dry potatoes.
• Mash potatoes in medium bowl until no lumps remain. Add milk in small amounts, beating after each addition. (Amount of milk needed to make potatoes smooth and fluffy depends on kind of potatoes used.)
• Add butter, salt and pepper. Beat vigorously until potatoes are light and fluffy. If desired, dot with butter or sprinkle with paprika, chopped fresh parsley, watercress or chives.

OUR FAVORITE CREAMY MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Cover potatoes, garlic, and 1 Tbsp. salt with cold water in a large pot. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer (do not boil) until potatoes are very tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife but not falling apart, 20-25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat milk, thyme, and 3/4 cup butter in a small pot over medium, stirring, until butter is melted. Remove from heat; set aside.
• Drain potatoes and garlic; return to pot. Toss over low heat until moisture evaporates, 1-2 minutes. Using potato ricer or food mill, immediately press potatoes and garlic into a large bowl (do not let cool).
• Discard thyme from milk mixture and gradually stir into potatoes, reserving about 1/2 cup if you plan to make in advance (see Do Ahead). Season with 2 tsp. salt and 3/4 tsp. pepper. Fold in sour cream and stir with a spoon until incorporated and very smooth (do not overmix or potatoes will become gummy). Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve topped with remaining 2 Tbsp. butter and more pepper.
• Do Ahead
• Mashed potatoes can be made 2 hours ahead; cover and store at room temperature. Or chill, covered, up to 8 hours; reheat over medium with reserved 1/2 cup milk mixture.