Are you getting ready to cook a large holiday meal for friends or family? Is stove-top space always at a premium, but you absolutely have to keep mashed potatoes on the menu? I’ve got the solution! And not only does it save you time and stove-top space, you also end up with super creamy, super fluffy mashed potatoes!
So what’s the secret? Well, there are two. First, you bake the potatoes. Yep, bake them. More on that in a minute. But the real secret is to use a potato ricer. If you don’t have one of these yet, and you like creamy, fluffy, “whipped” potatoes, you absolutely need one. They aren’t expensive and can be found in almost any grocery or department store. It’s the only way I make mashed potatoes.
So back to the potatoes. Make sure you wash them, and poke some holes in each one with either a fork or sharp knife. Since you won’t be eating the skins, you don’t need to oil or season them like you might for a baked potatoes. When I’m just making a small amount for two of us on a regular weeknight, I microwave them for around 3-4 minutes a piece, depending on size. If you are doing a smaller amount, this method works just fine.
If you’re making a large batch for a big family meal, just put them in the oven with your turkey, ham, or roast. Place them directly on a rack in the oven, preferably at 350 degrees (which is what most of those meats roast at), and bake them for an hour to an hour and half. Timing will depend on the size and number of potatoes. Whichever cooking method you use, you just want them to cook until they are easily pierced by a fork.
Once they are cooked, all you have to do is slice them in half, and press them through the ricer into a mixing bowl. Place them cut side down in the ricer and press. Depending on the size of the potato, you may get one or two halves in at a time. The potato flesh will pass right through, while the skin is left in the ricer. Pull out the empty skin, and press another potato. Repeat until you’ve got a big bowl of riced potatoes. Now add butter, milk and seasonings, and stir until creamy and fluffy. I prefer to heat the milk and butter together, and add it in batches until I reach the consistency I’m looking for. If you have extra, don’t discard it right away, as potatoes often thicken up as they sit and you may want to splash in a little more before serving.
This is really more of a method than a recipe. Although I’ve provided a very basic recipe below, you can add whatever ingredients you typically put in your mashed potatoes. Cream cheese, buttermilk, garlic – they all work perfectly with this method. Follow your favorite recipe, or try a new one!
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- 5 pounds russet potatoes
- 1 cup milk 2 percent or whole preferred
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients
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- Wash the potatoes and poke several times with a fork or sharp knife.
- For smaller amounts, cook in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes per potato.
- For large batches, place on oven rack and bake at 350 degrees for about one to one and a half hours. Can be baked with turkey, ham, or roast also in oven.
- Once potatoes are fork-tender, remove from oven or microwave. Slice each potato in half.
- Place halves cut-side down in a single layer in a potato ricer and press into a large mixing bowl. Remove skin that is left in ricer and repeat with remaining potatoes.
- Once potatoes are all riced, add warmed milk and butter gradually, with seasonings. Stir gently to combine, adding enough liquid to reach desired consistency. If potatoes need to sit before serving, they may cool and thicken. Add additional warm milk and butter just before serving if needed.
- Quantities are approximate and adjustable. Halve, double, or triple to make the quantity you need. And adjust milk and butter quantity to get the texture you prefer.
- Use this method with the ingredients you prefer in your potatoes. Cream cheese, buttermilk, garlic - any of those variations, and more, will work!