Mashed Potatoes: A Creamy Specialty Of Every Household
Almost every household in nearly every country knows the delights of mashed potatoes. They may be called something different but they are still that creamy, luscious mounds of goodness that is very popular during Thanksgiving or any other time of the year. In the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind mashed potatoes were a major part of the plot and they are definitely a major part of dinner. The definition of mashed potatoes is creamy, buttery and fluffy potatoes but in some places they are lumpy and still very good.
Mashed potatoes are easy to make with butter, milk, and seasonings and they can be made differently with garlic, onions, and cheese. There are a few recipes that are less than simple with bacon, and gourmet cheese added then they are re-baked in the oven to make twice baked potatoes. They do not look much like regular mashed potatoes but are just as delicious.
Instant potatoes are available in the stores and although they may not be as good as real ones, they are convenient. They were patented by a Canadian scientist named Edward Asselbergs in’62. The dehydrating processes needed to make instant potatoes was invented by him and overshadowed earlier methods invented in’12 and’54. We have that choice of instant potatoes or we can just get tubs of mashed potatoes that only have to be reheated in the microwave.
Just mashing a potato after it has been boiled is good enough for some people. Those same people seem to think that putting potatoes in a mixer and whipping them up ruins them by releasing the starch and making them sticky, but most people like those sticky potatoes like their mothers’ made them. Methods of making mashed potatoes vary from boiling and mashing with a wire masher to baking potatoes in the oven and whipping them with an electric mixer. In the past a ricer has been used to make smooth potatoes. This is a large metal basket with holes in it with a handle attached to a blade that scrapes the inside of the basket. You put the potatoes in and turn the handle and the potato is crushed inside and comes out the holes. These potato threads make a satiny textured mashed potato with some butter and milk added.
Use russet, Idaho or Yukon Gold potatoes to get the best results when mashing them. To make a simple mashed potato boil two and half pounds of peeled chunked potatoes in 4 quarters of water. After they start to boil just reduce the heat and let them simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until they seem soft when poked with a fork. Drain the potatoes and put them in a bowl and mash them with a wire masher or put them in a mixer bowl and beat them for a few minutes. Add one fourth cup of milk, one fourth cup of butter, one half teaspoon salt and one half teaspoon pepper and mix well. This will feed 6 people
Another variation is to make mashed potatoes with cheese and sour cream. Peel and cut into chunks 8 to 10 potatoes and place them in enough water to cover in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil and boil about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork. Drain the potatoes and put in a mixer bowl. Whip for a few minutes then add 8 ounces cream cheese, one half of a 16 ounce carton of sour cream, and six tablespoons butter. Combine well than add one fourth teaspoon garlic salt and one fourth teaspoon pepper. Mix in well. You have the option of adding one half cup shredded Cheddar while whipping or placing it on top and letting it melt.
Wire mashers should be used in an up and down motion instead of side to side so that the integrity of the cells stay in tact and the potatoes do not become starchy. Always add softened butter rather than throwing in a cold, hard chunk of butter that may not get mixed in well. You can warm your milk before adding to keep the potatoes warm and make a creamy consistency. Do not let the milk boil though. Use chicken broth instead of milk as this will give them a heartier taste but make sure to test before adding salt since there is salt in the broth.
Your family and friends will love having mashed potatoes with dinner just as families have for years and years. You can add bacon, chives, green onions and just about anything else you want or you can serve them plain and simple. You can serve them with just a pat of butter, a dollop of sour cream, sprinkling of cheese, or slather them with gravy. There probably won’t be much left when dinner is over.
Ben likes his potatoes to be mashed. So if you need some delicious mashed potato recipes visit his website that is full of different recipes. He specially recommends his cheddar mashed potatoes recipe.
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