Mashed Potatoes – Preparing And Serving

There are many different ways you can serve and prepare mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes are also known as smashed potatoes. Typically mashed potatoes are first cooked in order to make them soft enough to smash. Most times the potatoes are baked or boiled before they are smashed. You can mash potatoes using a mixer, ricer, potato masher and fork. There are also instant mashed potatoes made form frozen or dehydrated potatoes.

The type of potatoes that you use for mashed potatoes as certain potatoes are better than others. Typically the best types of potatoes to use are floury potatoes but if you want a different texture to your potatoes you have the option of using waxy potatoes. A lot of times other ingredients will be added to the potatoes, such as milk, butter, cream or vegetable oil to make them creamier.

You can also add seasonings to your mashed potatoes for a different flavor. Some of the more popular seasonings include turnips, parsley, wasabi, spices, onion, mustard, cheese, bacon bits, garlic, salt, pesto and rosemary. The French have their own version of mashed potatoes in which they are mixed with egg yolks, pipette into ribbons and rosettes and then baked until they are brown.

If you are watching your weight and counting calories then you can still enjoy a low fat, low calorie version of mashed potatoes by substituting soup stock or broth instead of cream and butter. It is also important that you don’t overcook the potatoes you are going to mash as potatoes that are overcooked tend to create mashed potatoes that have the consistency of glue.

Mashed potatoes are often times used as a side dish but they are also important component of cottage pie, dumplings, shepherd’s pie, colcannon, pirogues, gnocchi, Cornish pasties and potato croquettes. Many times people will serve mashed potatoes with gravy.

Many times mashed potatoes are a side dish very often paired with steak or turkey. They are also am important dish normally prepared for Thanksgiving. Mashed potatoes are also a major ingredient to many dishes such as Cornish pasties, pirogues, shepherd’s pie, cottage pie, potatoes croquettes, gnocchi, colcannon and dumplings. Mashed potatoes are also a part of pie and mash or bangers and mash.

Many people consider mashed potatoes to be a type of comfort food and it is an important part of the Thanksgiving holiday. Generally when preparing mashed potatoes you should allow for pound of potatoes per person. If you want the potatoes to maintain their white color you can add a bit of vinegar to the boiling water.

After you have prepared your mashed potatoes you should not use a bowl or container lid but cover them with a dish towel. This will keep the potatoes soft and fluffy as the towel will absorb any moisture. Mashed potatoes can be prepared ahead of time and kept warm in a heating tray or crock pot.

Ben likes his potatoes mashed. So if you want to find some delicious recipes for mashed potatoes visit his website that is full of different recipes. He specially recommends his mashed sweet potatoes recipe.

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