Perfect Mashed Potatoes Southern Living 2010 Food

HOMEMADE MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes, and cut into 1-inch pieces. Bring cold water, potatoes, and 1 tsp. salt to a boil in a medium-size Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook potatoes for 16 to 20 minutes or until fork-tender and drain.
• Bring potatoes back to Dutch oven. Cook in Dutch oven until water evaporates and potatoes look dry. Mound potatoes on 1 side; add butter, half-and-half, cream cheese, ground pepper, and remaining 1 tsp. salt to opposite side of Dutch oven. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until butter is melted and mixture boils.
• After removing from heat, beat at medium speed with a hand-held electric mixer 30 seconds to 1 minute or to desired degree of smoothness. Do not overbeat. Serve warm.

PERFECT MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and add enough cold water to cover. Season with salt and bring to a simmer; cook, uncovered, until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 45 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes. Hold with an oven mitt or kitchen towel and peel off the skins, then transfer the potatoes to a bowl.
• Add the butter and warm milk to the bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork (or pass the potatoes through a ricer or food mill for a smoother mash). Season with salt and pepper.
• Plan on 1/3 to 1/2 pound potatoes per person for your feast.

PERFECT MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel and cut potatoes into 1 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place in a medium saucepan. Cover with cold water; add 1 tablespoon salt. bring to a simmer. If using a potato ricer, fill another saucepan with water; place over low heat. Keep potatoes at a low simmer until a knife slips in and out easily. Drain potatoes in a colander. Place milk in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
• If using an electric mixer with paddle attachment, proceed to Step 4. If using a potato ricer, place a heat-proof bowl or top of a double boiler over a pan of simmering water. Press hot, drained potatoes through ricer into bowl.
• Stir potatoes with a wooden spoon until smooth, about 1 minute. Using a whisk, incorporate butter. Drizzle in hot milk, whisking continuously. Add pepper, nutmeg, and salt to taste; whisk to combine. Serve immediately.
• For the electric-mixer method, transfer hot, drained potatoes to bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed, until most lumps have disappeared, about 1 minute. Add butter; mix until blended. On low speed, add hot milk in a slow stream, then add pepper, nutmeg, and salt to taste. Mix to combine.

THUNDERBOLT POTATOES

Steps:

• Cut the corn from the cobs; it will take about 2 ears (or 3 small ears) to make one cup.
• Cook the cut corn, garlic, and green chilies (with juice) in butter over medium low heat, stirring, until the corn is tender (careful not to burn!).
• Puree the cooked corn mixture in a food processor or blender until pieces are very small, adding extra milk by the tablespoon, up to 6 tablespoons, if necessary for liquidity; set aside (note: some people prefer to not puree the corn mixture, letting it remain chunky).
• Cook the potatoes in enough water to cover for about 20 minutes or until tender; drain.
• Combine potatoes, milk, sour cream, and seasonings and mash with a manual potato masher or potato ricer (NOT an electric mixer) until smooth.
• Stir in the corn mixture and the green chilies and combine well.
• Makes 4 to 6 servings.
• Leftover Thunderbolt Patties: combine 2 cups of the leftover Thunderbolt Potatoes, 1 large beaten egg, 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 Tbsp flour; shape into 8 patties and dredge in 1/2 cup of cornmeal; cook the patties in 1/2 cup of hot vegetable oil until browned, turning only once.
• Note regarding mashing versus using an electric mixer: the best method to make mashed potatoes is, in my opinion, a potato ricer or manual potato masher; using an electric mixer will work the potatoes to the point where the starch molecules break down, causing the potatoes to take on a very sticky and gummy consistency.

PERFECT MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel and quarter potatoes. Place in a pot, cover with water, and boil until tender.
• Drain.
• Mash potatoes, or put in mixer with paddle (my favorite way to do it.).
• Add sour cream, cream cheese, butter, onion salt, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and fluffy.
• Serve plain, or with gravy.
• Stays fresh for two weeks.