The Best Kind Of Potato For Every Texture Of Mashed Potatoes

Illustration:Jianan Liu/HuffPost

Everyone knows mashed potatoes are probably probably the most comforting aspect dishes identified to humankind. And whereas they’re good any day of the week, they particularly shine in the course of the vacation season ― as a result of what desk is full with no heaping bowl of mashed potatoes?

Mashed potatoes are easy sufficient to arrange, however it helps to know which potatoes to make use of. There aren't any improper potatoes, however the kind you select will determine the sort of mashed potatoes you produce. That can assist you take advantage of rocking bowl of mashed potatoes this Thanksgiving (or the following time you want some carby consolation), we spoke with a couple of cooks to get their skilled insights.

Whether or not you search a fluffy bowl of mashed potatoes or one thing rustic and dense, right here’s what you could know in relation to probably the most mashable potatoes.

Red bliss potato skin is so thin that it doesn't need to be peeled before mashing.
wsmahar by way of Getty Pictures
Pink bliss potato pores and skin is so skinny that it would not should be peeled earlier than mashing.

Pink bliss: Greatest for those who hate peeling potatoes

At South Metropolis Kitchen’s a number of areas within the Atlanta, Georgia, space, the fried rooster comes with a aspect of purple bliss mashed potatoes. “We’re going for a extra homey, rustic mashed potato,” stated Chip Ulbrich, the culinary director of SCK.

One of many advantages of utilizing purple bliss potatoes is that they are often boiled of their skins. This implies no further step of peeling, and “makes for a greater texture for a country mashed potato,” Ulbrich added.

When making mashed potatoes with these purple tubers, Ulbrich advises boiling them complete in salted water. Then, save a number of the boiled, salted water to make use of when mashing the potatoes with butter and cream. How a lot butter and cream, precisely? Ulbrich suggests about 3/4 of a pound of butter and half a quart of cream per 5 kilos of potatoes.

A mix of Yukon gold and russet: Greatest for mashed potatoes that aren’t too thick or too runny

Trevor Stockton, the manager chef of the RT Lodge in Maryville, Tennessee, likes to make use of a two-to-one ratio of Yukon gold and russet potatoes. Yukon golds are wealthy, however have the next water content material and may find yourself being runny. “The russet [potatoes] give it a bit extra construction due to the decrease water content material in them,” Stockton informed HuffPost. “It provides you one thing that retains all of it collectively so it’s not simply actually skinny.”

To make use of this combo, peel the potatoes and boil them in chilly water. You'll be able to prepare dinner all of them collectively, reduce into one-inch chunks, till they’re tender. Then, Stockton will place the cooked potatoes within the bowl of a stand mixer together with cubed, room-temperature butter and a liquid poured in whereas mixing. “I like to make use of buttermilk as a result of I believe that that little little bit of cream helps as a result of you might have this actually wealthy dish, and a bit little bit of acidity helps,” Stockton stated. Bitter cream would additionally work if you'd like a bit little bit of tang.

Yukon gold: Greatest for thick and creamy mashed potatoes

For Dionna Mash Garcia, a private chef within the San Francisco Bay Space, it’s all about Yukon gold potatoes in relation to a thick and creamy batch of mashed potatoes. “They’re just a bit extra buttery, naturally, in taste. Then, once you add butter to the dish, it simply enhances that taste much more,” Mash Garcia stated.

When she makes use of Yukon golds, she prefers to bake them as a substitute of boiling them. This helps stop the potatoes from getting water-logged and ensures a creamy texture, stated Mash Garcia. To roast them, go away them complete and unpeeled — you’ll take away the pores and skin after they arrive out of the oven and funky a bit.

As soon as it’s time to mash the potatoes, Mash Garcia likes to include cream cheese or bitter cream for a bit little bit of tang.

Russet potatoes will yield a result that's light and fluffy.
skhoward by way of Getty Pictures
Russet potatoes will yield a outcome that is mild and fluffy.

Russet potatoes: Greatest for mild and fluffy mashed potatoes

However, if you'd like mashed potatoes which can be mild, Mash Garcia recommended utilizing russet potatoes. Russets are excessive in starch, which ends up in fluffier mashed potatoes.

To benefit from your russets, peel them after which boil the potatoes earlier than draining them off. “You actually need to get as a lot water out of there as potential,” Mash Garcia stated. Then place the inventory pot again on the burner (it may be low, or you need to use the residual warmth), and shake the inventory pot to assist any remaining water evaporate. “Since you don’t actually need the water when you begin making your mashed potato base,” she added.

Incorporate no matter components you’d like ― cream cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, as much as you! ― and mash. The important thing right here is to not over-mash the potatoes, Mash Garcia warned. “[Pretend] you’re making muffins, or one thing that you simply simply don’t need to overmix, as a result of it’s going to provide the worst texture and turn into extra gluey,” Mash Garcia stated.

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