mashed potatoes

[Libby Pritchett]

So I used to be able to make mashed potatoes, and then one day, it seems, I just woke up and totally couldn't do it anymore. LOL Seriously, the last few batches I've made have been so icky and gluey in consistency. I don't know what I'm doing differently than I used to do, so I thought I'd come to the experts...

Tell me your best mashed potato recipe/tips! I never really followed a recipe before... always just peeled, boiled, added milk and butter, and mixed. But I'm open to ideas and suggestions, so lay 'em on me!

[Traci Reed]

If you leave the potatoes in the water too long they get gluey..are you letting them sit in the water after you cook them? Or overcooking them..

[Leila]

Make sure the milk is warm and the butter melted before adding it to the hot potatoes. Cold milk will instantly cause the potatoes to seize. Then, make these:

Baked Mashed Potatoes (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/baked-mashed-potatoes/detail.aspx)

:thumbup:

[nun69]

I just cook mine and even if they overcook they are ok....put the milk and butter in....I just eyeball it.....salt and pepper and then add more milk and butter as needed....

[BrattyMeg]

i love these from Bahama Breeze (http://www.bahamabreeze.com/recipes/appetizers/garlic_herbed_mashed.asp)...I make them w/out scallions though

(i peel my potatoes first but the restaurant ones have the skins on them)

[Libby Pritchett]

If you leave the potatoes in the water too long they get gluey..are you letting them sit in the water after you cook them? Or overcooking them..

Ahhhhhh! This might be it! I think the last time I made them, I DID get distracted and left them in the water a bit before I mashed them. Thanks Traci!

[Libby Pritchett]

Make sure the milk is warm and the butter melted before adding it to the hot potatoes. Cold milk will instantly cause the potatoes to seize. Then, make these:

Baked Mashed Potatoes (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/baked-mashed-potatoes/detail.aspx)

:thumbup:

YUM! That sounds delish!

[MommaTrish]

If you leave the potatoes in the water too long they get gluey..are you letting them sit in the water after you cook them? Or overcooking them..

Yup. I always strain mine as soon as they are done, even if I can't get to the actual mashing right then. My mom told me never to let boiled potatoes sit in water.

[jessica31876]

I add chicken broth to mine to add a little flavor.

[lovely1m]

I'm not sure I have ever made mashed potatoes. How sad I'd that? Lol

[MandaT]

They will also get gluey/sticky if you over beat/mash them.

[digideb]

Sour cream!! That's my tip! Not a lot. It gives great flavor and creaminess!!

[LeeAndra]

Two things:

(01) I make my mashed potatoes with red potatoes so I don't have to peel them, boil until JUST fork-tender, immediately drain, add warmed milk/half 'n' half + 1 stick of butter (at least room temp) + 1/2 stick of softened CREAM CHEESE (this makes them thickyummy) + salt & pepper + dried dill, and handmash so they still have lumps/thickness and don't become overmashed. I also will add in some minced garlic from time to time.

(02) We went to visit my family this past weekend and had a big discussion abt mashed potatoes. As my mom was peeling potatoes, my sister announces to the family that she has never peeled a potato before (!!). She's 27 and has been married for over 2 years! Anyway, as she's trying to peel one measly potato (which was quite the amusing sight), she then announces that she doesn't make mashed potatoes at her house because they could never be as good as our mother's and, in fact, will NEVER make mashed potatoes until our mom passes away (!!). WTH?! I had to go into the bathroom to laugh.

[maryinaz]

THESE are the best ever!

Pioneer Woman's Creamy Mashed Potatoes (http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/)

[scrapweaver]

mmmm, mash!!! We're pretty basic with ours - milk, butter, mash bash crash DONE! lol . . sometimes a little grated cheese in, or pumpkin mashed in with but otherwise boring but yummy! Likin some of these recipes and suggestions tho, specially the sour cream I think that would be good :)

[LenaGardner]

I add cream cheese and sour cream :) MMMMM

[mariewilcox]

We whip ours instead of mash because Cheyanne likes them creamy without many lumps, but we also use red potatoes and don't peel them (more nutrients that way ;)), and she doesn't mind the lumps from the skins - weird. I also add a couple cloves of peeled garlic to the water and then just a tablespoon of butter first, then after whipped once about a 1/4 cup milk and a sprinkle of fresh grated nutmeg (my Nanny's secret - she owned a restaurant in New Jersey when I was growing up and everyone LOVED her whipped potatoes).

[MamaBee]

I am the mashed potato maker in the family - I have a HUGE meat and potato eaters... even my mom, who usually doesn't care for my cooking (I'm not "old school" when it comes to cooking - and I rarely ever follow recipes... LOL!) will ask me to make the tators for her large meals... and here are my tips...I add a healthy dose of salt to the water as I'm cooking the potatoes (that is what my grandma always would do...). When done boiling, remove immediately - drain... and put them back on the heat for a few minutes to "dry"... when mashing, I found that hand mashing is the best to control consistency... I then will start mashing in the cream cheese until it starts to melt before adding the warmed cream (I add roasted garlic to my cream before heating to infused to cream) just a little at a time... once you add to much, the tators are goners... ;) Yes - my potatoes are not low cal... lol!

[nikkiARNGwife]

I cook mine until just fork tender and then drain immediately. Usually I put them in my stand mixer and whip them with some butter and a spoonful of mayo. I've also used cream cheese or sour cream..just whatever I'm in the mood for really :)

Like pp said...if you let them sit in water or cook them too long they will get gluey.

[Angie4b1g]

The PW ones are great!

I don't always peel mine. We like them with the skins.

[cardinalskate]

I love mashed potatoes and have messed with my recipe so much over the years. I like sour cream and/or cream cheese, too. I also occasionally use heavy cream, though I don't do that often. I also believe that using a mixer to make mashed potatoes is sacrilege. Whipped potatoes and mashed potatoes AREN'T the same thing. Not that whipped potatoes are bad, they just aren't mashed potatoes! LOL

I agree that you must salt the water. And at least room temp butter and warm milk.

[PamS]

Also, make sure you are using the correct potatoes..the round ones. Red, gold or white potatoes...not russets (bakers)

[ColleenSwerb]

I go with the PW recipe posted. SO GOOD. Everyone loved them when I hosted Thanksgiving last year for my husband's side of the family.

[cardinalskate]

Also, make sure you are using the correct potatoes..the round ones. Red, gold or white potatoes...not russets (bakers)

I couldn't agree more. Russet potatoes are the most bland potatoes out there!