1- Potato Masher
5-10 Large Potatoes
1 Medium/Large cooking Pot
4 Tablespoons of Real Butter
Salt
Black Pepper
Whole Milk or) Evaporated Milk
Added extra seasoning's if you prefer...
NOTE: Some people like things differently, so if you like the peel on or off it does not matter here in making REAL mashed potatoes...
Wash your potatoes first! to get grit and dirt off and whatever off your spuds before cutting them..
Prepare a medium/large cook pot with clean water, to put cut potatoes in so they stay white instead of turning colour before you finish cutting all the potatoes up. Usually fill water in the pot about 3/4 from the top.
The amount of potatoes depends on how many people you are serving.. For around 4-5 people usually about 6-10 large sized potatoes is about right. (My grandmother always said figure 2 large potatoes per person served)
It does work out right every time and never failed me in portions..
If you totally peel your potatoes or not, you still need to cut each of them into (not too big) quarter pieces.
Place about 2 Large Tablespoons of Real Butter into the water to melt into the Potatoes while cooking, sprinkle a THIN layer of equal salt and black pepper across the top of the water before it starts to boil.
NOTE: The Potato will absorb the butter, salt and pepper and seasoning's ONLY WHILE IT IS COOKING not after.
After the Potatoes boil and come to a soft stage when you use a fork, you can drain the water off your potatoes in
a colander then immediately put back into the pot you boiled them in to finish the process..
Add extra butter if you like, I always do because most of it is drained away.
You now take a potato masher, and mash potatoes well, add just enough milk ( Roughly about 3 Tablespoons) enough to make them creamy use your judgement.. not too much or they will become soupy..
You can use an electric hand mixer here, to whip your potatoes to a fluffy state, or do it the old fashioned way and whip them with a big wooden spoon or fork to the consistency you and your family prefer. Some like them smooth and fluffy, others like them a little lumpy...
Things you can add like cheeses while potatoes are hot.. like cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese etc.
Even Bacon bits are nice.
