Basic Mashed Potatoes

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 3 lbs potatoes or 3 lbs red potatoes or 3 lbs yellow-fleshed potatoes or 3 lbs baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus any additional salt to taste
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup half-and-half, plus
• 2 tablespoons half-and-half, heated
• pepper

Recipe

• 1 in a large bowl, combine the potato pieces with water to cover and let stand for 5 minutes to remove excess starch, then drain.
• 2 bring a large sauce-pan 3/4 full of water to a boil.
• 3 add the 1 1/2 teaspoon salt and the potatoes and return to a boil until tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes.
• 4 drain well and return to the empty pan.
• 5 place the pan over high heat and, turning the potatoes to prevent scorching, heat to evaporate the moisture, 1-2 minutes.
• 6 remove from the heat.
• 7 using a potato masher, mash until potatoes are almost smooth.
• 8 add the butter, mash, and the half-and-half, a little at a time, switching to a spoon when the potatoes are smooth.
• 9 the potatoes should be creamy but not soupy.
• 10 season to taste with salt and pepper, transfer to a warmed serving dish and serve immediately.