

The traditional squiggle masher is not as efficient as those with a flat face and a grid pattern. Shake the drained potatoes in the pot over low heat, to get rid of excess water and add fluffiness. Try adding garlic cloves and bay leaves or other aromatics to the cooking water it adds another layer of flavor to the potatoes. It’s better to overcook the potatoes than undercook them be sure to cook them so they are thoroughly tender. Serve immediately or cover tightly and set aside for up to 30 minutes.Ĭhoose large potatoes to minimize peeling. Repeat until mashed and seasoned to your liking. Place over low heat and shake until most of the steam has dissipated.Īdd some of your flavorings, mash, and taste. Drain potatoes and return them to the pot. When potatoes are tender, scoop out and set aside a cup of cooking water. Meanwhile, heat any flavorings (buttermilk, milk, cream, butter, stock) you plan to add.

Boil until tender all the way through (start testing after 10 minutes). While the water heats, peel the largest potatoes you have (two per person is a good rule of thumb) and roughly cut into large chunks, about the size of a jumbo egg. Here's how you do it: Put a large pot of water on to boil, adding a tablespoon of salt for each gallon of water. Store airtight at room temperature.Our favorite method for making mashed potatoes is in the video above.

Cover and keep warm until ready to serve. Set potato mixture over medium heat and whisk until liquid is incorporated and potatoes are very smooth and bubbling. Return garlic mixture to a simmer, then pour through a fine-mesh sieve into pot with potatoes discard solids.When potatoes are done, use a paring knife to remove skins (it's important to do this while they are very hot hold them in a kitchen towel to protect your hands), then pass them through a ricer or food mill fitted with the fine disk into a large pot (or simply mash them in the pot with a potato masher).Immediately remove from heat, cover, and let sit at least 30 minutes. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Using a vegetable peeler, remove wide strips of zest from half of lemon and add to pot set lemon aside for the topping.Cut remaining head of garlicin half crosswise and place in a medium saucepan with thyme, peppercorns, butter, 4 cups milk, and 1 Tbsp. Meanwhile, remove 4 garlic cloves from garlic head and set aside for the topping.If using Yukon Golds, place on a rimmed baking sheet or in a large baking dish and cover tightly with foil.If using German Butterballs, place potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet or in a cast-iron skillet and roast, turning halfway through, until very tender (a paring knife inserted into the center should meet with no resistance), 45–50 minutes.
