Mashed Potatoes 6 Ways Recipes

MASHED POTATOES 6 WAYS

Steps:

• For variations, see below.
• Peel and quarter potatoes. Add to large pot, cover with 3" of cold water, and bring to a boil.
• Add salt and simmer potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid and drain potatoes in colander.
• Return potatoes to pot with milk, butter and 1/2 cup reserved liquid.
• Mash with potato masher until almost smooth, adding more cooking liquid as needed.
• Season to taste.
• Bacon-onion mash: Mix 8 chopped, cooked slices bacon and 3/4 cup finely chopped scallion greens into finished potatoes.
• Garlic mash: Wrap 1 head garlic in foil. Roast in 400 degree oven, 45 minutes. Squeeze cloves into milk for potatoes and mash with fork.
• Blue cheese mash: Use low-fat buttermilk instead of milk and fold in 3/4 cup blue cheese crumbles.
• Herb mash: Stir fresh herbs (such as 1 cup chopped flat leaf parsley, chives, or chervil) into finished potatoes.
• Extra creamy mash: Whisk 1/2 cup cream cheese and 3/4 cup chopped fresh chives into finished potatoes.
• Spicy mash: Fold 2 teaspoons canned chipotle in adobo sauce and 1/4 cup sour cream into finished potatoes.

CLASSIC MASHED POTATOES

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.

BASIC MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes; drain.
• In a small saucepan heat butter and milk over low heat until butter is melted. Using a potato masher or electric beater, slowly blend milk mixture into potatoes until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.