Basic Lean Mashed Potatoes Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Peel potatoes, if desired, and cut into equal size pieces. Place potatoes in a large pot of cold salted water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until tender.
• When potatoes begin simmering, heat olive oil in a small skillet with minced garlic and a sprig of rosemary or thyme. When the garlic is colored (not brown), about 2 to 3 minutes, remove from heat and set aside until potatoes are cooked.
• Drain potatoes and return to the cooking pot. Discard rosemary or thyme sprig, add olive oil and garlic mixture and mash, adding a bit more oil if you like. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve garnished with chives.

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes; drain.
• In a small saucepan heat butter and milk over low heat until butter is melted. Using a potato masher or electric beater, slowly blend milk mixture into potatoes until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Steps:

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

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with water, bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes. Drain well.
• Put the milk in the saucepan used for the potatoes and bring to a simmer. Force the potatoes through a ricer and add them to the milk. Cook over very low heat, mixing well and season with salt and pepper.
• If desired top each portion with a thin pat of butter just before serving for a deceptive sense of richness.

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan, add enough cold water to just cover and salt generously. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, uncovered, until the potatoes are fork-tender, 45 to 55 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes, peel (use an oven mitt or kitchen towel to steady the potatoes) and transfer to a large bowl. Add the butter, warm milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper, and mash with a potato masher.

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes, removing as many of the eyes as possible with the tip of your peeler. (If you prefer more rustic mashed potatoes, keep the skin on half of them.).
• Submerge the potatoes in a bowl of cold water to keep them from turning brown while you are chopping them.
• Cut the potatoes into similar-sized chunks so that they will cook evenly: the cubes should be about 1½ to two inches wide.
• Submerge cubed potatoes into a pot of water that is large enough to hold the potatoes with enough water to cover. Add salt, if desired. Place the pot over a high heat and bring the water to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer.
• Simmer, covered, until tender--about 15-20 minutes. A knife tip inserted into a potato should meet no resistance; if the potato clings to the knife, the potatoes need to cook longer. When potatoes are done, remove from heat and drain immediately.
• Let the potatoes sit for a minute to dry and to allow any excess water to drain from the bottom of the colander. Meanwhile, heat the butter and cream in a small saucepan at a low temperature. (You can also use the microwave for this step.).
• Return the cooked potatoes to the large pan and mash them with the back of a spoon, a food mill, or a potato ricer.
• Gently stir in the warm butter and cream.
• At this point, taste the potatoes for proper seasoning and adjust it to taste. Test for consistency, too: if the potatoes are too thick, add more cream. Other herbs and spices can be added at this point as well--chopped chives, Italian parsley, Parmesan cheese, crumbled bacon, roasted garlic, chopped scallions or creamed leeks are all delicious matches.
• ***To reduce the fat content of traditional mashed potatoes, use low-fat sour cream in place of butter, and milk or broth rather than cream.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the potato pieces with water to cover and let stand for 5 minutes to remove excess starch, then drain.
• Bring a large sauce-pan 3/4 full of water to a boil.
• Add the 1 1/2 teaspoon salt and the potatoes and return to a boil until tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes.
• Drain well and return to the empty pan.
• Place the pan over high heat and, turning the potatoes to prevent scorching, heat to evaporate the moisture, 1-2 minutes.
• Remove from the heat.
• Using a potato masher, mash until potatoes are almost smooth.
• Add the butter, mash, and the half-and-half, a little at a time, switching to a spoon when the potatoes are smooth.
• The potatoes should be creamy but not soupy.
• Season to taste with salt and white pepper, transfer to a warmed serving dish and serve immediately.