Mashed potatoes are a classic dish that has been enjoyed by people all over the world for centuries. This simple yet delicious dish is made by boiling potatoes, mashing them until they are smooth and creamy, and adding ingredients such as butter, milk, and salt to taste. Whether served as a side dish or as a main course, mashed potatoes are comfort food that everyone loves.
One of the reasons why mashed potatoes are so popular is their versatility. They can be made with different types of potatoes and be flavoured with various herbs and spices, such as garlic, rosemary, or chives, to create a dish that is tailored to your personal taste preferences.
Another advantage of mashed potatoes is their ease of preparation. They can be made with basic kitchen tools and ingredients that are readily available in most homes. All you need is a large pot, a potato masher or a fork, and some butter, milk, and salt. Simply boil the potatoes until they are soft, mash them until they are smooth and creamy, and then add the butter, milk, and salt to taste. The result is a dish that is both easy to make and delicious to eat.
But there are some common mistakes that can be avoided if you know how. Here are some of the easy fixes to make perfect mashed potatoes.
1. Gluey Potatoes
If your potatoes are sticky and paste-like chances are they’ve been over-mashed. Yes, that is a possibility! The more you work the potatoes the more the starch tends to bind together and create a thick and unpleasant texture.
The Fix
To get perfectly fluffy potatoes every time, pass the boiled potatoes through a ricer or large sieve.
2. Lumpy Potatoes
The best mashed potatoes are the ones that are smooth and silky, but if you find yourself chewing through large chunks, chances are your potatoes weren’t cooked enough and the centre was more raw than the outside.
The Fix
Start the potatoes in cold water and bring it up to a boil, that way the potato has a chance to cook evenly all the way through
3. Soggy Potatoes
On the other end of the spectrum, you might have cooked the potatoes too much and now your mash is too watery. This could happen if the heat is too high or if you’ve left the pot boiling for too long.
Fix
Keep the water at a gentle boil and always cook uncovered to prevent an accumulation of steam.
4. Salty Potatoes
Potatoes are like small sponges and suck up a lot of flavour from the water they’re boiled in. So if you’ve salted the cooking water there’s a chance it will already be well-seasoned.
Fix
Salt the cooking water but avoid using more salt in your mash until the very last minute.
5. Separated Fats
Most mash recipes call for the addition of milk and butter for extra creaminess, but sometimes you’ll find they don’t mix completely with the potatoes.
Fix
Use cold butter and warm milk to avoid the fats in the dairy splitting.