Only Live Once Mashed Potatoes Food

BASIC MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Put 2 pounds whole unpeeled russet or Yukon gold potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold water; add 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Bring to a simmer (do not boil) and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 45 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes, then peel and return to the pan; add 1 cup hot milk and 1/2 to 1 stick room-temperature unsalted butter. Mash with a potato masher or fork. Season with salt and pepper.

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.

MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Lightly scrub the potatoes. Put them in a large stockpot, fill with cold water to cover by about 2 inches and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a strong simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender in the center, 50 to 55 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes in a colander in the sink. Let cool enough so that you can handle them, about 10 minutes. It is important that the potatoes do not cool too much because they will mash more easily when hot.
• Meanwhile, add the butter to the same pot that you used to cook the potatoes (no need to clean it). Melt completely over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Heat 3/4 cup of the cream in a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl until steaming and set aside.
• Holding the potatoes in a clean kitchen towel, gently peel the skins off with a paring knife. Quarter the potatoes and put them in the pot along with 2 1/2 teaspoons salt. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until smooth and fluffy (see Cook's Note).
• Add the cream and stir until combined. Season with pepper and additional salt if needed. Allow to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 3 months.
• To reheat refrigerated mashed potatoes: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spoon the mashed potatoes into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Drizzle with the remaining 1/2 cup cream. Stir until combined, making sure there are no pools of cream at bottom of the baking dish.
• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and gently stir the mashed potatoes. Cover again and continue to bake until the potatoes are hot and steamy, 20 to 25 minutes more. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• To reheat frozen mashed potatoes: Thaw the potatoes completely in the refrigerator and cook according to the same directions as refrigerated potatoes but do not add cream. The potatoes might seem watery at first but will thicken as they heat up.
• Transfer the hot mashed potatoes to a large bowl for serving.

BEST OLD-FASHIONED MASHED POTATOES FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water by about 1 inch and add 2 tablespoons salt. Bring to a boil, uncovered, over high heat, and then reduce the heat to medium-high and simmer briskly until fork tender, about 45 minutes. Drain the potatoes, reserving 1/2 cup of the water. Quarter the potatoes and pass them through a food mill or ricer back into the pan. (Peel them first if you are using a ricer). When the potatoes are almost done, heat the buttermilk in a small saucepan over medium-high heat to just under a simmer. Set aside; it will separate and look curdled but don't worry, it will mix in fine. Fold the buttermilk and reserved cooking water into the potatoes over low heat. Then fold in the butter a handful of pieces at a time until fully incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

BEST EVER CREAMY MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Tip the potatoes into a large pan, cover with cold water and sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt. Set the pan over a high heat and bring to the boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15-20 mins until the potatoes are very tender - they should be able to be easily pierced with the tip of a knife. Drain well, then return to the pan and leave to steam-dry for 5 mins.
• Pass the potatoes through a ricer into a large bowl for a lump-free mash (you may need to do this in batches). Alternatively, mash with a potato masher until smooth, then press through a sieve using the back of a spoon to get rid of any remaining lumps.
• Tip the 50g Yeo Valley Organic salted butter, the milk and some seasoning into the bowl with the hot mash. Beat everything together with a wooden spoon or spatula until the butter has melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add a splash more milk to loosen, if needed. Top with the remaining 1 tbsp butter and leave it to melt for a few seconds before serving.

ONLY LIVE ONCE-MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Boil potatoes in salted water until tender (though there is an argument to be made for steaming peas and/or carrots above them so as to sweat some added juices into the mix).
• Add butter, onions and sour cream and mash very vigorously (more than you normally would!).
• Depending what you are "complementing" (ie beef, pork, chicken etc) you could add some stock and reduce the fats.
• If serving with no gravy, add a bit to the onion; if the gravy is thicker, reduce onion, but remember to carry on "mashing" for a minute or three longer than you believe you must -- .