Everyone should have this classic dish in their repertoire. The best mashed potatoes start with choosing the right potatoes, either oblong russets or yellow-fleshed potatoes, then boiling them gently, heating the milk and mashing to fluffy perfection. Hand mashing does take a little work but the results are far superior to using an electric mixer. Try some of the flavour variations to change things up and customize your mash to complement the rest of the meal.
Recipe by Jennifer MacKenzie, P.H.Ec.
Classic Mashed Potatoes
Everyone should have this classic dish in their repertoire.
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Servings: 8 servings
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
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.
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