Mom’s Simple Everyday Mashed Potatoes are an easy, delicious, and economical side dish that goes with chicken, steak, pork and more. My mom made these potatoes at lease once a week throughout my childhood with simple ingredients—potato, milk, butter, and salt. I’m publishing this recipe to prove a point. We don’t need to add a bunch of butter, cream, cheese, or extravagant ingredients. We don’t have to “load” them up. Sure, those ingredients are great for holidays or special occasions. However, you can likely make a healthier version with the simple ingredients you have in your refrigerator and pantry.
Are Potatoes Good For You
Whether or not potatoes are good for you depends on how they are prepared and whether you can tolerate nightshades. The potatoes themselves are a decent source of fiber, Vitamin C, polyphenols, potassium, and some B vitamins. Baking, boiling, braising, roasting, stewing, and steaming potatoes are great potato cooking methods. However, deep frying is not the best way to get all the benefits potatoes can offer. That means french fries and potato chips are best enjoyed occasionally.
How to Make Simple Every Day Mashed Potatoes
Peel one medium Yukon Gold or Russet potato for every person or serving. Cut potatoes in 2 inch pieces and place in salted water. Bring potatoes to a boil and continue boiling for 12 to 15 minutes or until you can pierce through the potatoes with a steak knife.
Drain potatoes and add one tablespoon of butter for each potato.
Mash potatoes with a splash of milk (of choice) to create your preferred consistency. We like our potatoes a bit thicker. So, we don’t use very much milk. Add salt to taste.
Serve potatoes with Mom’s Hamburger Gravy—a classic combination. Or, for a chicken dish try it with French Chicken in a Pot with Garlic and Herbs, or Easy Chicken Masala (both are saucy dishes and have a built-in “gravy.”)
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Mom’s Simple Everyday Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 Yukon Gold potatoes or Russet (4 potatoes is average, use 1 per person)
- 4 tablespoons butter (4 tablespoons is average, use 1 per potato)
- 1/2 cup milk (of choice) about 1/8 cup per potato
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Peel one medium Yukon Gold or Russet potato for every person or serving. Cut potatoes in 2 inch pieces and place in salted water. Bring potatoes to a boil and continue boiling for 12 to 15 minutes or until you can pierce through the potatoes with a steak knife.
- Drain potatoes and add one tablespoon of butter for each potato.
- Mash potatoes with a splash of milk (of choice) to create your preferred consistency. We like our potatoes a bit thicker. So, we don't use very much milk. Add salt to taste.
What’s not to love about mashed potatoes?
What else would you put on your plate with that thanksgiving turkey dinner with all that good gravy and stuffing? A lot of people grew up eating mashed potatoes with most every main meal.
Right? That’s especially true for us mid-westerners! And, those that grew up in households that had a nice family meal “at least” every week. I’m thinking about those that call it “Sunday Suppers.”