The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Potatoes for Perfectly Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Short answer: What potatoes are used for mashed potatoes:

The best type of potato to use for making mashed potatoes is a starchy variety, such as Russet or Yukon Gold. These types have a high starch content that breaks down easily and creates a fluffy texture when mashed. Waxy varieties, like red or new potatoes, tend to result in a gummy consistency when mashed.

Exploring How to Choose and Prep the Right Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a staple side dish in many households around the world. They’re creamy, comforting and delicious. However, not all potatoes make great mashed potatoes. Choosing the right type of potato is key to achieving that perfect texture and flavor.

First things first: avoid waxy potatoes like red or fingerling potatoes. These types of spuds have a high moisture content, making them more likely to turn into gluey messes if you try to mash them up.

So which type of potato should you choose? Well, russet or Yukon golds are both excellent options for mashing because they’re starchy and fluffy when cooked. Russet potatoes have thicker skin than other varieties and their flesh is dry and mealy once cooked – perfect for mashing! On the other hand, Yukon golds have slightly less starch than russets but still produce a smooth mash without being too sticky.

Now that you know what kind of potato to use let’s move on to how to prep them perfectly! It’s important to start by washing your chosen spuds thoroughly under running water before peeling them with a sharp knife or vegetable peeler (whichever suits you best). After peeling, dice your potatoes into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate – aim for 1-2 inch cubes.

Next step: boil those bad boys until fork-tender. This process usually takes between 15-20 minutes depending on the size of your diced pieces; just keep an eye out so as not overcook them—no one wants mushy slop instead!

Once they’re cooked through thoroughly drain any excess liquid from pot but leaving some behind can help increase creaminess later on!). For added decadence whip in butter (or vegan alternative) after adding milk/cream substitutes alongside seasoning such as salt & pepper makes this humble dish heavenly!

In conclusion picking where choosing your preferred potato variety while considering what works best within recipe and personal preferences, to peeling, dicing and boiling instructions all contribute reasons why some mashed potatoes stand out as a tasty side dish while others fall flat. With these helpful tips in mind your next batch will ensure that you and your guests will be left feeling fluffy-spud-satisfied!

Step-by-Step: From Raw Potato to Creamy Mashed Delight

For many, mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. Creamy, smooth and buttery – they offer a taste experience that is hard to resist. The best part? Making them is incredibly easy! In this step-by-step guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about turning raw potatoes into silky-smooth mashed potato bliss.

Step One: Choose Your Potatoes

The right potato can make all the difference when it comes to making creamy mashed potatoes. We prefer using starchy varieties like Russet or Yukon gold which have less moisture than waxier types such as red or fingerling potatoes. This means your mash will turn out fluffier and creamier without being gluey or lumpy.

Step Two: Peel and Dice

Wash and peel your potatoes before dicing them up into roughly even-sized pieces of around 1-2 inches in size. If you want extra creamy mash then cut them smaller – this reduces cooking time whilst also maximising surface area for added deliciousness.

Step Three: Boil the Potatoes

Place your diced potatoes in a large pot with enough water to cover them by at least an inch or two. Add some salt (around one tablespoon per litre) for flavour and bring it to a boil on high heat. Once boiling reduce the heat slightly but keep it simmering for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are cooked all the way through.

Step Four: Drain Carefully

Drain your boiled potatoes carefully in a colander and then let them cool down for five minutes so they don’t turn gummy once mixed with milk/cream/butter/etc later on!

Step Five: Smash Your Taters!

Once your drained, cooled-down spuds are ready, transfer them back into the pot over low heat where they won’t burn quickly (you’re trying to dry excess moisture from their edges). Mash away however possible – we recommend using an old-school potato masher or a handheld mixer for best results.

Step Six: Add Flavour

Now it’s time to make your mash sing! You can add a combination of different ingredients, depending on your taste preferences. Butter is usually at the top of our list – nothing beats that rich, buttery flavour in your mashed potatoes. Try adding between 1-2 tablespoons per pound of potatoes. Cream and/or milk also works wonders offering extra creaminess without overwhelming other flavours added later on!

Other favourite additions include garlic powder (around half a teaspoon), sour cream (around two tablespoons) and chives/green onions (just keep chopping until you have ~one tablespoon’s worth!).

Step Seven: Keep On Mashing!

Use a wooden spoon/spatula and keep mixing things together thoroughly so everything gets distributed evenly throughout; finally check seasoning levels required.

Et voila – delicious creamy mashed potatoes await!

Answering your Frequently Asked Questions about Which Potatoes are Best for Mashed Potatoes

As the winter months roll in and we start to crave stuffing, turkey, gravy and most importantly mashed potatoes. Most of us know how to peel, boil and mash a potato. But do you know which type of potato is best for mashing?

Let’s dive into some frequently asked questions about choosing the perfect potato for your creamy bowl of comfort.

Q: What makes certain potatoes better suited for mashing?
A: It all comes down to starch content! The higher the starch content, the fluffier and lighter your mashed potatoes will be.

Q: Which variety of potato has the highest starch content?
A: Russet Potatoes are king when it comes to making fluffy, airy mashed potatoes as they have around 18-20% starch content which create bigger air pockets as they cook leading to fluffy texture. Their dry flesh also contributes towards having less moisture post boiling that helps with absorbency on addition of cream/butter later on in recipe

Q: Can I use any other kinds of potatoes if I don’t have russets handy?
A: Absolutely – Yukon Golds or a Dutch Cream are an Excellent substitute due low water ratio and slightly waxy character than helps hold structure during cooking process

Q: Why should I avoid using waxy varieties like red or new potatoes then?
A: These types have a high moisture & low starch level content so after boiling when its beans being removed from stove top mixing surface tend not well-defined shape hence adding starchy binding elements such as butter/milk whilst whipping can result dense heavier texture rather than desirable light/airy consistency

In conclusion, while there many ways to whip up delicious Mashed Potatoes but selecting Right Potato Breed plays pivotal role towards desired smooth pillowy outcome.Ones preferred choice may make difference between dreaded leftover chunks vs crowd pleasing silky goodness.So Next time think carefully whilst picking ingredients Also Don’t shy away Making tweaks here n there based upon personal preference that one likes!