? about making mashed potatoes from scratch...

[Disneyland1084]

How long should I heat the potatoes in water on the stove?

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Until they are easily pierced by a fork. HTH.

 

[mickeyboat]

Boil them in salted water until they are fork tender. The amount of time that will take will depend on how large the potato pieces are.

Denae

 

[akhenaten]

Until they are easily pierced by a fork. HTH.

yep! not much longer or they will be pasty....

 

[NMAmy]

If you cut the potatoes into small pieces, they'll cook much more quickly. Not that I usually start dinner late or anything.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

Another tip is to use Yukon Gold potatoes. They boil and have the best consistency for mashed potatos.

 

[Tuffcookie]

OP, After they are boiled until tender with a fork, be sure to heat the milk & butter before adding to the drained potatoes and whipping. If you don't you could end up with starchy mashed potatoes.

TC

 

[JB111107]

If you have a large glass bowl like one of those large pyrex mixing bowls or Pampered chef bowls that has a lid....here's a GREAT tip:

I cut up my potatoes as normal and place them in the glass mixing bowl (I have the large pampered chef bowl that holds 8 cups of water). I add appx 1 cup of water, depending on how many potatoes I made, just about covering them in water. Put the lid on the bowl and heat on high in the microwave for about 14 minutes (I'm usually making enough for a family of 5 so that is 4-6 medium sized potatoes).

They'll come out just as good as an hour or so on the stove and way less time. I drain the water, add in some salt, pepper, a little butter, and milk and mash them as usual.

Saves me SOOOOOOO much time in the kitchen. We eat alot of potatoes at my house

 

[cruellababy]

I always turn on a timer when they start to boil for 20 min.-perfect every time!

 

[bumbershoot]

Another tip is to use Yukon Gold potatoes. They boil and have the best consistency for mashed potatos.

Just don't ever decide to "mash" them in your blender. Yukon Gold PASTE. Thankfully I was single and it was just for me so I choked it down, but UGH. I went to Ikea and got a masher soon after.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I wanted to thank everyone for their tips. Please keep them coming if you have anymore. Thanks.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I mash them with a hand masher then put them in the mixer and add milk and softened REAL butter until the potatoes are a nice, creamy consistency.

Yum!

 

[MontanaZoo]

If you have non picky eaters, I prefer using red potatoes and leaving the skin on. Then add some fresh parsley, butter, milk (maybe sour cream if I can sneak it in without people seeing), salt and pepper. Way tastier than normal mashed potatoes and that's how I'm going to do them on Christmas Day cause there's no way I'm taking the time to peel a bunch of potatoes. My 11 year old niece is already protesting.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Until they are easily pierced by a fork. HTH.

I disagree ever so slightly.... I boil til slightly less than easily pierced. Here is my reason, and I got this tip off of food TV.

When you pull the potatoes out they still have a lot of water on and in them. So, Emerill suggested that you finish them for a minute or 2 in the microwave. This dries them out a little. Then you moisten them with milk or sour cream or whatever you use, but you end up with a little less water, and a little more taste.

 

[Angelhalo]

I boil mine until I can cut the chunk in half with my wooden spoon, then drain. I add evaporated milk, and butter, and occassionally sour cream and mix with a hand mixer. Yummo!

 

[plutolovr]

Boil until tender, drain, return to pot and put back on stove (if you have an electric stovetop, keep it off the residual heat will due) and dry out the potatoes. If you have a gas stovetop, put it on very low and dry out, (shake pot while doing this) this will dry them and they will be fluffy when you mash.

 

[arminnie]

Mashed potatoes and whipped potatoes are not the same thing. The texture is different which will affect the taste.

The whipping breaks down more of the starches - if overdone it will make the potatoes "gluey". A blender or food processor will almost certainly produce "paste". A mixer can be used - but you have to be VERY careful not to overprocess.

There's fine line between "whipped" potatoes and glue.

 

[2BigKIdz]

I mash them while they are piping hot off the stove and add butter before I add the milk, if you add cold milk before mashing they will get lumpy. I hand mash and then use a mixer.

I recently tried the Yukon gold potatoes as I read they make the best mashed potatoes, they are good, but I really can't tell much difference between those and the red potatoes I used for years.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

I don't use a masher..I have a stick blender that I use for my mashed potatoes and they come out perfect every time. You just have to be careful at first because it might splatter a little.

 

[mumom95]

If you have non picky eaters, I prefer using red potatoes and leaving the skin on. Then add some fresh parsley, butter, milk (maybe sour cream if I can sneak it in without people seeing), salt and pepper. Way tastier than normal mashed potatoes and that's how I'm going to do them on Christmas Day cause there's no way I'm taking the time to peel a bunch of potatoes. My 11 year old niece is already protesting.

I also use red potatoes and keep the skins on. I add garlic, butter, salt, pepper and a little bit of milk.