Mashed Potatoes from scratch

There’s nothing like homemade mashed potatoes and it’s so simple to make and cannot be compared with the dehydrated stuff.    I love to make mashed potatoes and keep them as healthy as possible so I use olive oil which gives them a fantastic taste and use low fat milk.  Using a hand mixer makes the procedure very easy and if you like some lumps in your potatoes just mash them for a few minutes and the more time you mash them the smoother they get.

My children love mashed potatoes so I make a lot and probably the amount I use for five is too much.  I would say that a large potato per person would be a satisfactory portion.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes

Serves:  5

Ingredients

• 1 ½ kilos potatoes (6 – 8 potatoes)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or 1 tbsp butter or margarine)
  
• white pepper and nutmeg (optional)

Directions

Peel, wash and half or quarter the potatoes depending on size.

Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until soft when pierced with a fork. (About 45 minutes)
Drain the potatoes while they are still hot and return them to the pot.  Add the olive oil or the butter so that it may melt as well as seasoning and mash the potatoes anyway you like.   Personally I prefer an electric mixer.  Add the milk gradually until you get the right consistency.

Tags: healthy, How to.., Potatoes, Side dish, Tips-cooking