DinnerCountCreamy Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are simple, and a few small steps make them better. The russet potatoes simmer until a fork slides in easily, then sit in the hot pot for a minute to dry out. You mash them with butter and warm milk, because cold milk makes them gummy. They go with almost any main dish.
Ingredients (serves 6)
- Russet potatoes2 lb
- Butter4 tbsp (½ stick)
- Milk½ cup
- Salt1 tsp
- Black pepperto taste
How Much to Make for 2, 4, 6, or 8
For 2 people, you’ll need ⅔ lb Russet potatoes, 1½ tbsp butter, and 2½ tbsp milk.
For 4 people, you’ll need 1⅓ lb Russet potatoes, 2½ tbsp butter, and ⅓ cup milk.
For 6 people, you’ll need 2 lb Russet potatoes, 4 tbsp (½ stick) butter, and ½ cup milk.
For 8 people, you’ll need 2⅔ lb Russet potatoes, 5½ tbsp butter, and ⅔ cup milk.
| Ingredient | For 2 | For 4 | For 6 | For 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russet potatoes | ⅔ lb | 1⅓ lb | 2 lb | 2⅔ lb |
| Butter | 1½ tbsp | 2½ tbsp | 4 tbsp (½ stick) | 5½ tbsp |
| Milk | 2½ tbsp | ⅓ cup | ½ cup | ⅔ cup |
| Salt | ¼ tsp | ¾ tsp | 1 tsp | 1¼ tsp |
| Black pepper | to taste | to taste | to taste | to taste |
The amounts are rounded to what you can measure at home. Pounds are rounded to the nearest quarter or third, cups to the marks on a measuring cup, and spoons to real measuring spoons. An egg stays whole. Because of the rounding, some amounts are the same at two sizes.
- For 2: This recipe is written for 6 adult-size portions. You are cooking about 2 adult portions, which is roughly 0.3 times the recipe. This is less than the recipe assumes, and the same pot works. The water boils sooner, and the cooking time is the same.
In DinnerCount, this recipe is sized to exactly who’s home tonight, whether that is a hungry teenager, a toddler, or a guest.
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Steps
- Peel the russet potatoes and cut them into even 2-inch chunks so they all finish cooking at the same time.
- Put the potatoes in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover them by an inch. Add the salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then turn the heat down to medium and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes. The potatoes are done when a fork slides easily into a chunk.
- Drain the potatoes and let them sit in the hot pot, off the heat, for 1 minute. The steam dries them out, and that keeps the mashed potatoes from turning watery.
- Warm the milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Add the butter and the warm milk to the potatoes, and mash until smooth. Don’t skip warming the milk, because cold milk makes the potatoes gummy.
- Season with the black pepper, and taste to see if the potatoes need more salt. Serve with extra butter at the table.
Good to Know
- Contains Milk. This comes from the ingredient names, so it is not a complete list. The ingredient names do not show what is inside a jar, a mix, or a sauce, and formulas change. For an allergy or intolerance, read the package every time, and never decide from this line.
