As the wife of a potato farmer, you can see that this could be a problem. Especially when we have 15 pounds of potatoes we REALLY need to use up ASAP because they have seen better days.
Well folks, I've found THE way to make mashed potatoes. CROCK POT. It is amazing how easy, clean and WONDERFULLY DELICIOUS mashed potatoes are when you make them in the crock pot. Yes, it does take around 3 hours, but as most of you know, 3 hours of crock pot cooking means just getting the food in the crock pot and leaving it to do its thing. And don't even get me started on the clean up. It's going to be so sweet compared to stove top mashed potato clean up! I'm going to tackle the 15 pounds of potatoes sometime this week and freeze them.
I'll tell you what I did, and then you can know how to enjoy the world's greatest mashed potatoes as well.
2 pounds of potatoes (i used 5 medium-large potatoes) peeled and cubed
1 cup of water
1-2 tablespoons of butter (totally optional, but I used 1 tablespoon. Also, the original recipe said 1/3c. butter, but that is totally not necessary)
put above in crock pot and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours (I did mine on high, and stirred it 1 time during the 3 hours).
When the 3 hours is up/when the potatoes are soft and mash-able get out an electric mixer (seriously, don't use a hand masher here).
Mix in 1/2-2/3 c. milk
Salt (the recipe said 1.5t but i just eyeballed it and went by taste)
I also added pepper
And that was it. The original recipe called for some green onions and cheddar cheese as well. If you add those (which I'm sure would be really delicious) then put the lid back on the crock pot and let it sit for 15 minutes to let the flavors blend :)
Trent got home and ate while I was typing this and said that they were the best mashed potatoes he's ever had. To quote him directly "those potatoes are as good as the best mashed potatoes I've ever had." If you know Trent, you know that it's the best compliment he could give me and the mashed potatoes!
That sounds FANTASTIC! I don't have an electric mixer though, and Keith LOVES boxed mashed potatoes... but I may try these and see if he notices? Do I HAVE to have an electric mixer?
ReplyDeletewell.....I think you'll be okay if you use a hand one, just mash the heck out of them! :)
ReplyDeleteI used to LOVE the boxed ones too, but I'm officially hooked on the real deal now. These could convert Keith!
Our crock pot seems to be doing funny things lately. Good blog!
ReplyDeleteI love doing our mashed potatoes in our pressure cooker because the taters get so soft that they mash themselves when I stir with a fork.
ReplyDeleteok, this is weird... i LOVE making mashed potatoes. however, i got an amazing contraption as a wedding gift from aunt diane that probably has me spoiled. it's one of those pasta pots that has a lid that strains water from it. i use it to make my mashed potatoes in and it's easy peasy mashed taters for me.
ReplyDeletei don't whip 'em though. (i don't like to use my hand mixer unless i have to). i just use the hand smasher and mine are sometimes lumpy. if i feel like making them really smooth and good like my mom-in-laws, i'll whip 'em like she does...
maybe i'll try the crock pot idea sometime though.
love you!
I love your mashed potatoes!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI;m glad you loved them so much Poppy!
ReplyDeleteso i tried them crock-pot style and they were very easy and yummy. our eldest thought they were dryer than usual though, so i'll play around with it. it is nice to think ahead and make them when i have the time. i usually procrastinate mashed taters and they end up holding up our meal. so i'm sure i'll use this method again.
ReplyDelete