Learn to Make: Mashed Potatoes

Peel potatoes

for Classic Mashed Potatoes and soak in cold water up to 1 hour ahead.

Classic Mashed Potatoes

Everyone should have this classic dish in their repertoire.

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Course: Side Dish

Preparation: Quick & Easy

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 21 minutes

Total Time: 26 minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Author: Jennifer MacKenzie, P.H.Ec.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs oblong russet (baking potatoes) or yellow-fleshed potatoes ( about 4 to 5 medium)
• cold water
• salt
• 1 cup milk (approx)
• 2 Tbsp butter, cubed
• freshly ground black pepper

Imperial – Metric

Instructions

• Peel potatoes and cut into even-size chunks. Place in a deep pot and add cold water to cover. Cover pot with lid and bring to a boil over high heat. Season water with salt. Reduce heat and boil gently with lid ajar for 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender.
• Meanwhile, heat milk in microwave on Medium-High (70%) power or in a small saucepan over medium heat, just until steaming. Remove from heat.
• Drain potatoes (reserving water for another use, if desired), and return to pot. Heat over low heat, stirring potatoes, for about 1 minute to dry of excess moisture. Remove from heat. Using a potato masher, mash in butter until incorporated. Pour in hot milk, a splash at a time, and mash potatoes, adding more milk as necessary, until potatoes are smooth and fluffy and the desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Video

Notes

Flavour variations:

Dijon: Stir 2 to 3 tsp (10 to 15 mL) grainy or smooth Dijon mustard into potatoes after mashing.

Garlic-Herb: Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat; cook 1 or 2 cloves minced garlic, stirring, for about 2 minutes or until softened but not browned. Add to potatoes and mash, then stir chopped fresh herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, basil, sage, dill or tarragon, to taste after mashing.

Roasted Garlic: Roast 4 to 6 cloves garlic until soft; add to potatoes with butter.

Cheddar Barbecue: Stir 1 cup (250 mL) shredded old Cheddar cheese and 2 tbsp (30 mL) barbecue sauce into potatoes after mashing.

Bacon Chive: Stir 3 slices crisply cooked bacon, crumbled, and 1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh chives into potatoes after mashing.

Nutrition Facts

Classic Mashed Potatoes

Serving Size

 

1

Amount per Serving

Calories

128

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

3

g

5

%

Saturated Fat

 

2

g

13

%

Trans Fat

 

1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Cholesterol

 

9

mg

3

%

Sodium

 

45

mg

2

%

Potassium

 

520

mg

15

%

Carbohydrates

 

22

g

7

%

Fiber

 

1

g

4

%

Sugar

 

2

g

2

%

Protein

 

4

g

8

%

Vitamin A

 

151

IU

3

%

Vitamin C

 

6

mg

7

%

Calcium

 

55

mg

6

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Read the full article by Jennifer MacKenzie: How to Plan, Prep and Cook a Feast