The Rules To Follow For The Best Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes are always an ingredient worth picking up when you go to the grocery store. Why? Well, there’s just so much that you can do with them. You could include them as part of a meal every day for a week and never have them the same way twice. Just like eggs, they’re an incredibly versatile food and one that’s pretty delicious, too.

Of course, if we had to pick only one way to prepare potatoes, we’d probably opt to mash them. Not only do they taste great this way, but they’re also very easy to prep this way. You simply boil the potatoes, mash them, and then stir until you get a nice, smooth consistency. Saying that, though, the rules to follow for the best mashed potatoes should take them to even higher levels.

1. Certain potatoes will offer different textures that you may or may not prefer

You don’t need a specific kind of potato if you want some mashed potatoes with your meal. However, the potatoes you choose can impact the taste experience of this delectable side. This is why you want to go for either Russet potatoes or Yukon Golds, depending on what kind of texture you want. If you prefer your mash to be fluffy, you’ll want to stock up on the former. Meanwhile, if you think that mash is better when it’s creamier, the latter are where it’s at. While both are delicious and work wonderfully as a side, it’s good to know what you prefer before you hit the kitchen.

2. Be sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly before mashing them

When you’re trying to get things done quickly, it’s easy to rush certain processes that you might not think are that important. However, when making mashed potatoes, it’s essential that you don’t do this. Even something like drying the potatoes after boiling them, you shouldn’t rush. You want to ensure that any water is gone before you start mashing these ingredients, which is why it’s best to put them back on the burner after draining them. Either set the stove to a low heat or simply allow the residual heat from before to do its thing. The edges of your potatoes should go white once they’re dried enough and all the water has evaporated.

3. Be sure to add butter to your mashed potatoes before any milk or cream

Butter is typically a key component of good mashed potatoes, and people often have their own ways of incorporating it. However, all that really matters is that you add the butter first before you pour in any milk or cream. That’s because this can stop your mashed potatoes from developing a glue-like consistency. When the food is like this, it can be quite difficult to eat. So, add the butter and let it coat your potatoes first before bringing any liquid into that equation. That way, this delicious side will enhance whatever meal it’s added to rather than being the thing that ruins it.

As long as you know the rules to follow for the best mashed potatoes, there’s no real reason why the dish shouldn’t come out perfect every time you prepare it. So, whatever meal you pair it with, you can be sure of a delicious experience.