Mashed Potatoes

Click here for a PDF print version

Mashed Potatoes have been a staple for generations but there are a few tricks you have to know to making them turn out great and easily!

This is a popular and easy side dish to make for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any gathering!  And it freezes up great for later!

Ingredients

• 5 lbs Potatoes (about 2.2 to 2.5 kg) Best to use a blend of Yukon gold potatoes and half Russets.
• Butter: 6 Tablespoons, (4 ounces or 110 grams). Soften it before using.
• 2 cloves of garlic - about 2 teaspoons or 10 ml of prepared minced garlic
• 1 cup sugar (granulated) (200 grams castor sugar). If you are cutting carbs or on a sugar restricted diet, instead use an equivalent about of Splenda or Truvia (Stevia).
• 1.5 teaspoons vanilla (8 ml)
• 1 cup milk (240 ml) I use fat free), but again, you can use any type you prefer, or even almond or soy milk.
• Optional: 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• Toppings: chopped fresh chives or green onions, freshly-cracked black pepper

 

Directions

Step 1 Wash the potatoes

Wash then, if you like them peeled, peel them! Or leave the skins on, if you like. Just cut out any bruises or sprouting eyes.

Step 2 - Cut the Potatoes

Cut your potatoes before so they are all about the same size before boiling. Large, whole potatoes and especially of mixed sizes, cook unevenly. Even equal sized smaller pieces cook faster and more evenly. .

Step 3 - Cooking boiling water

Boil the potatoes in a large pot of water, with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water covering them! . Add the garlic and if you want salt, 1 tablespoon salt to the water. Then boil on high heat until the water starts to boil,. comes to a boil. Boil the potatoes for about 10-12 minutes until a knife inserted in the middle of a potato goes in little resistance. Drain and discard the water.

Step 4 - Prepare the melted butter mixture.

While the potatoes are boiling, you can heat the butter and milk in a small saucepan (or the microwave) until the butter is just melted.

Step 5 - Mash the potatoes

Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or whatever you have handy. Mash to the consistency you prefer (smooth or coarse)..

Step 6 - Add the other ingredients

Mix everything together, add half of the melted butter mixture and fold it in with a spoon. Then add the remaining butter.

If you like cream cheese fold it in now until just combined to avoid overmixing. Overmixing produces gummy potatoes.  

Step 7 - Season

Add any salt, pepper, garlic you prefer Then serve!

 

Reference

Gas mark	Fahrenheit (�F)	Celsius (�C)	Gas mark	Description
1	275	140	1	Cool
2	300	150	2	Cool
3	325	160	3	Moderate
4	350	180	4	Moderate
5	375	190	5	Moderately hot
6	400	200	6	Moderately hot
7	425	220	7	Hot
8	450	230	8	Hot
9	475	240	9	Very hot

 

U.S. Measure	U.S. Volume	British	Metric
1 teaspoon	1/6 fluid oz	0.17 fluid oz	5 ml
1 tablespoon	1/2 fluid oz	.52 fluid oz	15 ml
1 cup	8 fluid oz	8.3 fluid oz	237 ml

Write if you need any help!

 

 

For Easter egg Hunts, Children's Consignment Sales, Local Farm Markets and other types of Farms, click here.