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Mashed Potatoes

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Photo by Chelsea Kyle

Mashed potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser at holiday meals. But if you want to mix things up a bit this year, try one of our delicious variations, below.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

4 pounds large boiling potatoes such as Yukon Gold or russet (baking) potatoes
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces and softened
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Peel potatoes and cut into 2-inch pieces. Cover potatoes with salted cold water by 1 inch in a 5-quart pot, then simmer, uncovered, until tender, about 18 minutes.

    Step 2

    Shortly before potatoes are done, bring milk just to a simmer in a small saucepan over moderate heat, then remove from heat.

    Step 3

    Drain potatoes well in a colander, then return to pot along with hot milk, butter, salt, and pepper and mash with a potato masher until combined well.

  2. Variations:

    Step 4

    • Add 2 cups crumbled goat cheese (8 oz) to potatoes along with butter and milk, and reduce salt to 3/4 teaspoon.

    Step 5

    • In place of butter, use 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil.

    Step 6

    • In place of milk, use 1 1/2 cups heavy cream and 1/2 cup drained bottled horseradish.

    Step 7

    • In place of 1 cup of milk, use 1 cup sour cream at room temperature.

    Step 8

    • Add roasted garlic: Roast 2 heads of garlic, wrapped in foil, in a preheated 400°F oven 50 minutes. Squeeze roasted garlic from skins into potatoes along with butter and milk.

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