What’s the Finest 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 kind 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 traditional methodology includes boiling chopped potatoes—however I started to consider how unimaginable it will be if I discovered that roasting added some nutty complexity, or steaming offered the perfect fluffy texture. I got down to examine.

As I used to be shopping for components and serious about testing strategies I had a mini eureka second. I really 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 prevailing moisture within the ingredient till it vaporizes, creating steam and cooking. Not solely might this make an enormous distinction for folks prepping for an enormous vacation, it might keep away from any danger 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 Idea

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 should have for completely textured mash). I ready every batch in the identical, tried and true approach, 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 verify my findings.

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

However after that, it was truthfully very powerful to inform the distinction between the boiled, steamed, and microwaved potatoes. The added moisture from boiling might have made the tip outcome barely fluffier, however for those who’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 may dial in that excellent mashing texture with small bursts of additional cooking in direction of the tip. Not solely that, however microwave mashed potatoes release range area, scale back dishes, and provides some cooking time again to you this vacation season. Lastly, for those who or somebody you recognize are a foul sufficient prepare dinner that you simply gained’t even go close to a range, that is an unimaginable strategy 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 just a few holes, and prepare dinner on excessive for 9 to 12 minutes, or till the potatoes are full tender. You must examine each 30 seconds after 9 minutes for doneness. As soon as cooked via, take away and go via a ricer whereas nonetheless sizzling, 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 sizzling however not scalding. Combine the dairy into the potatoes, season generously with salt and pepper, and revel in!