Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes
Another KilKenney Kitchen basic. These creamy, delicious mashed potatoes are a staple at our house. Great for everyday and the holidays. I encourage you to take this basic recipe and make it your own. Adding sour cream, cream cheese or parmesan cheese will take them to the next level.
Ingredients
- 5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes or Russet potatoes
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 1/2 cup butter one stick
- 1.5 cups whole milk or half & half
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Wash the potatoes. I like Yukon Golds for this recipe. Russet potatoes work well too - both are starchy potatoes. I recommend staying away from red potatoes - they are waxy and tend to get gummy when mashed
- Peel the potatoes and place them in a large pot of water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. I keep the potatoes whole so they absorb less water during the cooking. If you have a couple of really large potatoes, cut them in half
- Bring the potatoes to a boil. Reduce the heat to a high simmer (you can see the water boiling, but it's not a rolling boil) and cook until a fork easily goes through the potatoes - about 30 minutes
- when the potatoes are almost done, melt the stick of butter - I know that seems like a lot - but remember you are serving 10 people!
- Warm the milk in a pan or the microwave
- Drain the potatoes in a collendar
- Place the potatoes back into the large pot and heat for about 30 seconds over medium heat to dry the remaining water from the potatoes.
- Mash the potatoes using a masher. I think the old fashioned way creates delicious creamy potatoes with a lovely texture.
- Add the warm butter to the potatoes and stir
- Add 1 cup of the warm milk to the potatoes and stir to combine - I use the masher or a large spoon here to incorporate the dairy into the potatoes. Add the 1 teaspoon of salt and the 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
- Using a spoon, stir the potatoes until they reach the consistency you like. I like mine with a few lumps. If you like them creamier, add a little more warm milk. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary
- Serve with your favorite chicken, meat or fish - and of course, as the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving turkey.
