Mashed potatoes are a type of dish made by boiling and mashing potatoes, usually seasoned with butter, milk or cream, salt, and sometimes spices such as black pepper or nutmeg. It is commonly served as a side dish with meat dishes. Mashed potatoes, which should have a soft and smooth consistency, are popular in many different cuisines and are especially frequently consumed in American, British and French cuisines.
Basic Recipe for Making Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 4-5 large potatoes
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
- Salt
- Black pepper (optional)
- Nutmeg (optional)
Construction:
- Peel the potatoes and chop them into large pieces.
- Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and add enough water to cover them. Add a little salt.
- Boil the potatoes until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Once the potatoes are boiled, drain them and return them to the pot.
- Add the butter and mash the potatoes while they are hot.
- Gradually add the milk or cream and adjust the consistency of the puree.
- Mix with salt and, optionally, pepper and nutmeg.
- Continue mashing until you get a smooth and creamy consistency.
Mashed potatoes are most delicious when served hot and can be a great accompaniment, especially alongside main courses such as roast beef, fried chicken, or steak.
What Steps Should Be Followed to Make Mashed Potatoes Even Tastier?
You can follow the steps below to make mashed potatoes even more flavorful:
1. Choosing the Right Potatoes
- Potatoes that are high in starch (for example, Russet or Idaho) are ideal for mashed potatoes. Such potatoes provide a lighter and fluffier puree.
2. How to boil potatoes correctly
- Chop the potatoes into equal sizes so that they are evenly boiled.
- Put the potatoes in a saucepan with cold water, and then start boiling. This ensures that the potatoes cook evenly from the inside out.
3. Filtering Water Well
- Once the potatoes are boiled, drain them well and leave them in the pot for a few minutes. Allow excess water to evaporate; This prevents the porridge from watering.
4. Adding Ingredients to Add Flavor
- Butter: Use plenty of butter. Butter makes the puree creamy and tasty.
- Cream or Milk: Add hot cream or milk to adjust the consistency of the puree. Adding cold milk can cause the puree to cool, so it may be a good idea to heat the milk or cream slightly.
5. Spices and Flavorings
- Salt & Pepper: Use adequate amounts of salt and freshly ground black pepper as base seasonings.
- Garlic: Adding cooked or roasted garlic will add an extra flavor to the puree.
- Nutmeg: A small amount of freshly grated nutmeg gives the mashed potatoes a pleasant aroma.
- Cheese: You can enhance the flavor of the puree by adding cheeses such as parmesan, cheddar, or cream cheese.
6. Aromatics and Extras
- Fresh Herbs: You can add fresh herbs such as chopped parsley, spring onions, chives, or dill.
- Fried Onions or Bacon: You can add an extra touch by sprinkling it with fried onions or bacon bits.
7. The Right Consistency
- Using a Sprayer or Sieve: If you want the puree to be smooth, you can mash the potatoes using a potato masher, sprayer, or fine sieve. Using a mixer or blender can cause the puree to become rubbery.
8. Presentation
- Serve Hot: Mashed potatoes should be served hot in their most delicious form. You can heat it in the oven for a short time on low heat before serving.
- Presentation: You can also make the puree visually appealing by sprinkling extra pieces of butter, fresh herbs or black pepper on top of it.
These steps will significantly enhance the flavor and texture of the mashed potatoes. Enjoy your meal!
What Is The Calorie Ratio Of Mashed Potatoes?
The calorie ratio of mashed potatoes varies depending on the ingredients used and the portion size. Below you can find the approximate calorie calculation of a mashed potato made with typical ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes (about 800 grams)
- 2 tablespoons of butter (about 30 grams)
- 1/2 cup milk (about 120 ml)
Calorie Calculation:
- Potato:
- 100 grams of boiled potatoes contain about 87 calories.
- 800 grams of potatoes are about 696 calories.
- Butter:
- 1 gram of butter contains about 7 calories.
- 30 grams of butter is about 210 calories.
- Milk:
- 100 ml of whole milk contains about 60 calories.
- 120 ml of milk is about 72 calories.
Total Calories:
- Potatoes: 696 calories
- Butter: 210 calories
- Milk: 72 calories
Total: 978 calories
This recipe makes about 4 servings of mashed potatoes. In this case, the amount of calories in one serving is approximately:
978 calories / 4 servings = 245 calories
Notes:
- To get fewer calories, you can use low-fat margarine instead of butter, and choose low-fat or skimmed milk instead of whole milk.
- If extra ingredients (cheese, cream, etc.) are added, the amount of calories increases.
- For a puree that is balanced in consistency and flavor, it is important to adjust the proportions of the ingredients correctly.
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