Our Best Mashed Potatoes Food

OUR FAVORITE CREAMY MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Cover potatoes, garlic, and 1 Tbsp. salt with cold water in a large pot. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer (do not boil) until potatoes are very tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife but not falling apart, 20-25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat milk, thyme, and 3/4 cup butter in a small pot over medium, stirring, until butter is melted. Remove from heat; set aside.
• Drain potatoes and garlic; return to pot. Toss over low heat until moisture evaporates, 1-2 minutes. Using potato ricer or food mill, immediately press potatoes and garlic into a large bowl (do not let cool).
• Discard thyme from milk mixture and gradually stir into potatoes, reserving about 1/2 cup if you plan to make in advance (see Do Ahead). Season with 2 tsp. salt and 3/4 tsp. pepper. Fold in sour cream and stir with a spoon until incorporated and very smooth (do not overmix or potatoes will become gummy). Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve topped with remaining 2 Tbsp. butter and more pepper.
• Do Ahead
• Mashed potatoes can be made 2 hours ahead; cover and store at room temperature. Or chill, covered, up to 8 hours; reheat over medium with reserved 1/2 cup milk mixture.

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.

WORLD'S BEST MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place peeled and cubed potatoes into a medium size saucepan.
• Cover with water,place on stove and cook on medium heat until fork tender, approximately 10 to 15 minutes depending on the size of cubes and type of potato.
• Remove from heat and drain any remaining water.
• Place potatoes into mixing bowl.
• Add butter and start to whip potatoes with mixer set on 7 or 8.
• Add sour cream slowly and whip until smooth and creamy.
• (The amount of sour cream may vary depending on the type of potato used, Yukon gold uses all, some other softer potatoes do not need all of the sour cream.) Pour potatoes into a cassole dish sprayed with cooking spray.
• Top with as much cheese as desired.
• Bake at 350 for approximately 20 minutes or until cheese bubbles and edges start to brown.
• Remove from oven and let sit for five minutes.
• If you are serving a meat that has a gravy, then leave off the cheese but still bake the potatoes until bubbly.