Mashed Potatoes The Pioneer Woman Way Food

BROWN BUTTER MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes, rinse in cold water and cut into fourths. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the butter to a saucepan over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown, 2 to 3 minutes, being careful not to burn it. Swirl the pan as you go, stopping when the solids turn medium to deep golden brown.
• Drain the potatoes, then return them to the pot. With the burner on low heat, mash the potatoes with a potato masher; the more steam that's released while you mash, the better. Mash for about 5 minutes. Turn off the burner.
• Add the cream cheese, half-and-half, cream, some salt and pepper and three-quarters of the brown butter to the pot and stir to combine. If the mixture needs thinning, add some milk. Check the seasonings, adding salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the remaining brown butter over the top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.

MASHED POTATOES TWO WAYS

Steps:

• For the potatoes: Generously butter two 4-quart baking dishes.
• Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• For the shallots: Meanwhile, add the oil to a large skillet set over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the shallots in batches and fry until golden brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute per batch. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Drain the potatoes in a large colander. Put them back in the dry pot and put the pot back on the stove. Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape before adding the other ingredients. Turn off the heat and add 3 sticks butter, the cream cheese, heavy cream, salt and pepper. Mash to combine.
• Spread the shallots in the bottom of one of the buttered dishes, reserving a few for decorating the top. Scoop half the potatoes on top of the shallots and spread out. Arrange the reserved shallots on top. Scoop the rest of the potatoes into the second dish. (If you are making these ahead, cover and refrigerate the dishes at this stage.)
• To cook, throw pats of the remaining 1 stick butter over the top of the potatoes and bake until the butter is melted and the potatoes are warmed through, 20 to 30 minutes. (It will need 1 hour if coming from the fridge.)

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.

CREAMY MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Peel the potatoes and rinse them in cold water. Chop the potatoes in fourths. Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes, and then return them to the pan. With the burner on low heat, mash the potatoes with a potato masher; the more steam that's released while you mash, the better. Mash for about 5 minutes. Turn off the burner.
• Add the butter, cream cheese, half-and-half, and seasonings. Stir to combine, and if the mixture needs thinning, add milk. Check the seasonings, adding salt and pepper, to taste.
• Pour the mashed potatoes into a large casserole pan. Dot the surface with butter. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 more minutes. Serve immediately.

MY RENDITION OF PIONEER WOMAN'S MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place chopped potatoes in a pot of boiling water. Leave the skins on or off according to your preference. I like texture so I left the skins on.
• Let potatoes boil until soft or about 15 mintues.
• Drain and place back in pot. Turn heat on low and let the potatoes steam for a minute or two. You want them to release a little steam so they do not get watered down or grainy.
• 4 Mash potatoes a bit, then add butter. Once butter is particularly incorporated add 4 oz of cream cheese.
• Next add sour cream and incorporate. If the mixture needs to be thinned add some half and half to the mixture.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.

SLOW COOKER MASHED POTATOES (THE PIONEER WOMAN)

Steps:

• Combine potatoes, chicken broth, butter, and salt in a slow cooker.
• Stir together, then cover and cook on high 3 to 4 hours, until potatoes are tender and fluffy looking.
• Mash with a potato masher or fork (or put them through a potato ricer, for super smooth potatoes), then add sour cream, chives or scallions, heavy cream or milk, or whatever ingredients you'd like.
• Season to taste, then serve and enjoy.

PIONEER WOMAN'S DELICIOUS, CREAMY MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and rinse off. Cut them in half or quarters into about the same size and place in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, cover and cook until just done. Drain potatoes into a colander. Shake off the excess water from potatoes and return them to the saucepan you cooked them and place back on the burner. Turn the heat on low and mash potatoes.
• Turn the heat off and slice in the softened butter and cream cheese. Next add the half and half-start with 1/2 cup, then add more if needed, seasoned salt and pepper. Mash everything together. Add more half and half and seasoning if needed. PW says try not to oversalt but definitely don't undersalt!
• Spread mashed potatoes into a greased baking dish. If you like, slice 1/4 cup butter into pats and place on top of the poatatoes. (Pioneer Woman says you can never have enough butter.). Cover the dish.
• At this point you can bake it in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes or cover and refrigerate a day or two. If refrigerated, remove an hour before baking so the center can warm up and then bake as directed. PW says to bake it covered but she has baked it uncovered with no problems.