What’s the Greatest Methodology for Prepping Mashed Potatoes?

This week, I uncovered a wonderfully Thanksgiving-timed Hotline query from EMF224: Does preparation methodology (baking vs. boiling vs. steaming potatoes) noticeably impact consistency?

That is the precise sort of query that will get my mind going, particularly as a result of I predict 99 p.c of Thanksgiving tables will embrace some model of the standard aspect this 12 months. My normal methodology includes boiling chopped potatoes—however I started to consider how unbelievable it will be if I discovered that roasting added some nutty complexity, or steaming supplied the best fluffy texture. I got down to examine.

As I used to be shopping for components and eager about testing strategies I had a mini eureka second. I like my microwave and steaming different greens with it—so what if I might do the identical for potatoes? Microwaving steams greens by heating the present moisture within the ingredient till it vaporizes, creating steam and cooking. Not solely might this make an enormous distinction for individuals prepping for an enormous vacation, it might keep away from any threat of water-logging the potatoes by boiling them. My pleasure doubled as I added an additional bag of potatoes to my grocery order.

Testing Out My Principle

I peeled and chopped 15 lbs of potatoes, then spent 90 minutes in a potato cooking haze—steaming on the stovetop, boiling, baking, and microwaving. As soon as all of the potatoes have been cooked, I ran them via a ricer (a real will need to have for completely textured mash). I ready every batch in the identical, tried and true means, aka with tons of butter, milk, and cream.

After tasting it, I used to be fairly shocked with my outcomes. A lot so, I had Noah and Nea from the Check Kitchen affirm my findings.

First off, the baked potatoes have been trash: they have been starchy, form of gloopy and have been clearly on the backside of the standings.

However after that, it was truthfully very robust to inform the distinction between the boiled, steamed, and microwaved potatoes. The added moisture from boiling could have made the top end result barely fluffier, however if you happen to’re like me, Noah, and Nea, and like a richer mashed potato, we have been ecstatic to find that the microwaved taters got here out the winner.

By means of microwaving, you keep the potatoes’s taste (sure, potatoes have taste) and might dial in that excellent mashing texture with small bursts of additional cooking in direction of the top. Not solely that, however microwave mashed potatoes unlock range house, scale back dishes, and provides some cooking time again to you this vacation season. Lastly, if you happen to or somebody you recognize are a nasty sufficient cook dinner that you simply gained’t even go close to a range, that is an unbelievable approach to get entangled in vacation meal prep.

How To Make Microwave Mashed Potatoes

Add 2 lbs of chopped potatoes to a microwave secure bowl. Cowl it plastic wrap punctured with a couple of holes, and cook dinner on excessive for 9 to 12 minutes, or till the potatoes are full tender. It’s best to test each 30 seconds after 9 minutes for doneness. As soon as cooked via, take away and go via a ricer whereas nonetheless scorching, then fold in 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter chopped into items. Mix 3/4 milk and 1/4 cup heavy cream in one other bowl and warmth till scorching however not scalding. Combine the dairy into the potatoes, season generously with salt and pepper, and luxuriate in!