Close Encounters Mashed Potatoes Food

THE BEST MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Generously salt the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Then lower the heat to medium and gently simmer until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 30 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot. Place the pot over low heat and let any residual water steam off, about 2 minutes. Mash the potatoes well with a potato masher. Fold in the butter with a spatula until melted, and then fold in the cream. Season with salt and pepper.

CREAMY MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces that are generally the same size. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes. (When they're cooked through a fork should easily slide into the potatoes with no resistance, and the potatoes should almost, but not totally, fall apart.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Drain the potatoes thoroughly in a large colander. Place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape before adding in all the other ingredients.
• Turn off the heat and add the butter, cream cheese and about 1/2 cup of half-and-half. Mash, mash, mash! Next, add about 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir well, and then taste and add more half-and-half, seasoning salt and pepper if needed.
• Transfer the potatoes to a medium-sized baking dish. Throw a few pats of butter over the top of the potatoes and place in the oven until the butter is melted and the potatoes are warmed through.

MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel, cut up and boil potatoes until tender.
• Drain water and put potatoes in a mixing bowl.
• Add margarine, sour cream and milk.
• Use an electric mixer and mix until desired consistency.
• The KEY here is to add salt and pepper to taste.
• You might add anywhere from a teaspoon to several tablespoons of salt, just depending on how much you like salt.
• Pepper is the same way, although use it more sparingly.
• Just remember to add a little at a time, until you get it where you like it.
• Once that is done, I usually put a couple of pats of margarine on top of the finished potatoes to let it melt.
• Then sprinkle parsley over it.
• This will make the best mashed potatoes I've ever found anywhere.

CREAMY MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add the potatoes and boil for about 15 mins or until tender. Transfer to a colander and drain well, then return to the pan and set over a very low heat for 2 mins to dry completely.
• Heat the milk and butter in a small pan, then pour over the potatoes. Remove from the heat, then mash potatoes using an electric hand whisk or potato masher. Tip in the créme fraîche and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy. Season with pepper and a pinch of salt.