About Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes have long been considered a comfort food. A fluffy mound of piping hot whipped potatoes, topped with a pad of butter that melts into creamy rivers, provides a fitting companion to homemade fried chicken. Mashed potatoes and gravy is standard fare for Thanksgiving dinner and a natural with roast beef.
Identification
Mashed potatoes are made by first peeling and then boiling the potatoes in water until they are tender. The water is drained off, and the potatoes are mashed while still hot. A potato masher is typically used to mash the potatoes. A potato masher is a hand held utensil that consists of a handle attached to a flat surface. The flat surface is not solid, but riddled with holes, so that when pressed against the cooked potato, the potato will squish between the holes. An electric mixer can also be used to mash potatoes.
Warning
Potatoes are a starchy vegetable and it is important to thoroughly rinse the cooked potatoes with hot water prior to mashing. Failing to rinse and drain the potatoes will result in sticky mashed potatoes. A little hot milk and butter is often added to the potatoes during the mashing. Yet, if you add either ingredient too soon it will produce lumpy potatoes. For best results, mash potatoes when they are piping hot, to avoid lumps. Do not use a food processor to mash the potatoes as the fast spinning motion will create glutens and turn the potatoes gray and sticky.
Types
Mashed potatoes can be dressed up by adding additional ingredients. Garlic potatoes can be made by sautéing fresh diced garlic in butter and then folding into the mashed potatoes. Shredded cheese or diced onions or parsley can be added to mashed potatoes to give color and flavor. Embellishments to the mashed potatoes should be added after the lumps have been mashed from the potatoes.
Features
White potatoes, russets or Idaho potatoes make good mashed potatoes. Red potatoes can also be used for mashed potatoes, and they do not need to be peeled. Red potato skins are thin, and when boiled and mashed will provide color and flavor to the dish. They should be cooked so that they are tender when pierced with a fork.
Benefits
Left over mashed potatoes can be used to make potato pancakes. To do this, the mashed potatoes are mixed with some seasoning and raw egg, then formed into flat cakes and fried in a little oil until both sides are crisp. Mashed potatoes can also be used to top shepherd's pie, a casserole consisting of meat and seasonings and covered with the mashed potatoes before baking.
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