Recipe

Fluffy Mashed Potatoes with Variations

Fluffy Mashed Potatoes with Variations

Photo by Aliwaks

  • This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Mashed Potatoes
  • Chef

    Aliwaks's Notes: I don't love mashed potatoes. I recognize that others, many others, countless others go positively weak at the knees when presented with bowl of fluffy creamy buttery spuds, but I'll go for...

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Serves 4 +

The Potatoes:

2 pounds Russet Potatoes Ask a question about this ingredient

3/4 cups half and half (or cream or milk) Ask a question about this ingredient

1 teaspoon FRESH grated nutmeg Ask a question about this ingredient

4 tablespoons Best fresh butter (or more) cut into small cubes Ask a question about this ingredient

fresh ground white pepper Ask a question about this ingredient

fleur du sel Ask a question about this ingredient

  1. Peel potatoes, & cut in to even size chunks & 2" (remember to hold potatoes in water to prevent discoloration)

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  2. Steam potatoes in steamer, I use chinese basket type steamer. Make sure the water doesn't touch them at all, they should be dry, tender and very so slightly powdery when done

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  3. Grate nutmeg into milk, warm, do not boil, warm to about baby bottle temperature

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  4. Puree potatoes using a food mill or ricer. If you don;t have either of these things, and have very strong arms, you can push the potatoes through the bottom of a metal colander with a spatula. Repeat if necessary until smooth

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  5. Whisk in warm milk in batches, slowly incorporating the liquid

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  6. Whisk in butter, slowly, as well so it becomes one with the potatoes

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  7. Season w/ salt & pepper, add more butter if you wish or flavor combos below

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My favorite flavor combinations:

  1. Substitute Buttermilk for half & half, finish with fresh chopped chives & dill

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  2. Whisk in 1 cup grated dry jack cheese after adding milk, finish with crumbled bacon & scallions

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  3. Add tbs (or more ) of wasabi paste or fresh horseradish to milk before warming, add more if needed, wasabi has varying degrees of potency. It should clear your nostrils ever so slightly.

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  4. Use 1/2 cup milk, afterwars whisk in 3 Tbs room temp marscapone, white truffle paste or white truffle butter and tbs or so grated parmesan + some chopped chive..swoon

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4 Comments on Fluffy Mashed Potatoes with Variations

Henrykiss Reply

i'd never have thought to steam the potatoes, but it makes complete sense! will try for sure- thanks for the recipe!

Reply

You lost me as soon as you said you don't love mashed potatoes. Seriously.

N538322836_1930755_1183 Reply

Tana..so sorry you feel that way. In my journey to become an accomplished cook,I have found myself creating dishes that please others, not just myself. And if I am to be such a cook, I should use equal skill and passion to cook dishes that I may not care much for personally. And since the person I love the most, who I cook for the most adores mashed potatoes I would be remiss in not making the best mashed potatoes I am capable of.

Teresa_food52 Reply

The recipe is super simple and yet delicious! Thanks for all the extra flavour combinations, they are all great!

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