Pantry Raid: How to Make Mashed Potatoes

This week, I’m with my family visiting my wife’s family farm. That’s right – a real, life farm filled with wildlife, delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, and wild herbs. And since today is the day we focus on how to cook a common dish, I decided to focus on the potato.

If ever there was a perfect vegetable to represent farming, it would be the potato. Strong, sturdy, and with no-frills, the potato is a perfect base from which to build upon. You can cook them in a number of ways, and season them in just as many. But today we’re going to talk about how to make mashed potatoes.

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Mashed potatoes are one of my favorite things to make because a) they’re quick and easy; b) they’re one of the most affordable dishes to make (potatoes cost practically nothing); and c) they’re fun to experiment with. Let’s get started!

How to Make Mashed Potatoes

Start by washing 2 pounds of Russet potatoes in cold water. Next, use a peeler to peel the skin off of the potatoes. You can cut potatoes in half to help them cook faster.

Fill a saucepan with water and a teaspoon of salt, add potatoes and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, lower heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Check the potatoes with a fork to see if they’re done. You’ll know if they’re ready because Russet potatoes will fall apart once they’re done.

Drain the potatoes and put them back into the saucepan, but take them off of the heat. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes about halfway. This will make it easier to mix in the butter and milk later on. Pour in 1/2 cup of milk and 3-4 Tablespoons of butter (use more or less depending on what you prefer). Use the masher to mash the potatoes to your desired consistency – I prefer leaving a few potato chunks in there, instead of making them too creamy. Once you’re finished, mix in salt and pepper to taste and top with chopped up chives.

Now you’re ready to serve! You can also experiment by adding in other types of spices to create new flavors. Try creating curry mashed potatoes or adding nutmeg for a sweeter flavor.

If you want a visual the video below shows you how to make mashed potatoes, too.

I hope you enjoy!

Keep Eating! Keep Innovating!

Do you have a tried and true mashed potato recipes that you love? Have you ever created your own unique mashed potato recipe? Share with us in the comments or on Facebook.

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