Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Serves 10
The russet potato, also known as a baking or Idaho potato, has low moisture and high starch, qualities that yield wonderfully light, fluffy, mashed potatoes. The key to fluffy texture is to process the hot potatoes in a ricer or food mill instead of with a hand mixer. It's also important to simmer, rather than boil, potatoes for even cooking.

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds russet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks)
  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt (divided use, plus more to taste)
  • 1 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • Pepper (to taste)

Directions

  1. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water by 2 inches. Bring to boil over high heat and add 1 tablespoon salt. Lower heat to medium and simmer until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine cream, milk, butter, and 2 teaspoons salt. Heat over medium-low until butter is melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. Set a potato ricer on rim of pot used to cook potatoes. Fill ricer halfway with cooked potatoes and press them through. Continue until all potatoes have been pureed.
  4. Using a silicone spatula, mix warm milk mixture into riced potatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  5. Mound potatoes in a warmed serving bowl and serve immediately. If made ahead, cover loosely with buttered foil and hold in warm oven.

Nutrition

Amount Per Serving (based on 10 servings)
  • Calories: 400
  • Fat: 22.0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14.0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.0 g
  • Cholesterol: 65.0 mg
  • Sodium: 1040.0 mg
  • Carbohydrates: 47.0 g
  • Fiber: 4.0 g
  • Added Sugars: 0.0 g
  • Sugar: 4.0 g
  • Protein: 6.0 g