Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Mashed Potatoes - as my son says, the perfect delivery system for Gravy

Mashed potatoes are the favorite potato dish at the Thompson household, particularly if the main dish has any form of gravy as a side dish.  And being from Aroostook County, Maine, I know my potatoes.   Here in our region we have huge commercial potato farms and have a wide range of locally grown potatoes available.  My favorite variety for Mashed Potatoes is the Russet.  It's a starchy potato that breaks down well when cooked so its perfect for smooth creamy potatoes. Stay away from the waxy varieties such as red potatoes,  new potatoes and fingerling potatoes.  They hold together well when cooked and are better for dishes like potato salad.  Another good choice for mashed potatoes is the Yukon Gold. They are considered all purpose as they have enough starch to make a decent baked or mashed potato but will hold together in dishes like soups and stews.

How to choose the best potato

Be careful when choosing your potatoes. Avoid potatoes with wrinkled skins, cuts or blemishes.  The potato should be firm to the touch when you squeeze it. Be sure to smell the potatoes.  They should have an earthy smell but there is nothing more horrid then the smell of a potato that has gone bad. You'll know it when you sniff it! Trust me!  Don't buy potatoes with areas of green skin, dark spots or bruises.  If you buy a sprouting potato that is otherwise fine, be sure to use it right away.

Peeling Potatoes - KP duty (military slang for Kitchen Police)

My husband was in the Navy and said that peeling potatoes was often a punishment for less than stellar performance of one's duties.  Peeling potatoes is not that bad, and I actually enjoy mindless tasks like peeling vegetables while listening to the kitchen radio. It only takes a few minutes and the end result is so much better than the instant mashed potatoes from a box. When making mashed potatoes you want to peel and quarter the potatoes into chunks and rinse them thoroughly.  Place the potatoes in a pot of cold water and let them come to a boil.  Large chunks, like the quartered potatoes, will take 20-25 minutes. They are done when they will break apart when a fork is stuck in them.  When done, you drain them and then add melted butter and warmed milk to them.  I also like to add a little sour cream as it adds a nice rich tangy flavor to them.

Some great additions to your mashed potatoes for variations on a theme

Adding roasted garlic makes a delicious twist. Adding a pinch of dill, thyme, or sage will take the dish to a whole new level.  I add the herbs to the milk when I am "pre-warming" it in the microwave.  I also add goat cheese or any grated cheese, for that matter, which gives a cheesy richness to your potatoes. Add the grated cheese into the potatoes and give them a good thorough stir. Place them in an oven proof dish and sprinkle some grated cheese on top as a garnish. Heat them in the oven at 400F for 15 minutes to give the cheese a chance to melt into creamy smoothness.

For more Wilderness Wife Potato Recipes, checkout these links -

Easy Microwave Herbed Potatoes

Scalloped Potatoes – the perfect side dish comfort food recipe

Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe – A big favorite at the Thompson House

Spicy Roasted Potato Wedges

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