CREAMY MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes image

Mashed potatoes can be made almost completely ahead. Do nearly everything - boil, peel and mash; stir in milk and salt - up to two days ahead. Before serving, reheat. Adding butter at the last minute makes them taste freshly mashed.

Provided by Ben S.

Categories Side Dish Potato Side Dish Recipes Mashed Potato Recipes

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

3 pounds russet (Idaho) potatoes, scrubbed but unpeeled
1 ½ cups half and half, plus extra if necessary
Salt, to taste
6 tablespoons butter, softened

Steps:

Place potatoes in a large pan with water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender when pierced with a thin-bladed knife, 20 to 30 minutes.
Heat half and half in microwave.
Process unpeeled potatoes through a food mill into a medium bowl. (Or, using a potholder, peel and drop them into a bowl. Puree using a potato masher or standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.) Stir in half and half and a sprinkling of salt (or beat, if using mixer) until smooth and fluffy. (Can be cooled and refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.)
Thirty minutes before serving, microwave until warm. Transfer to a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir in butter to melt. Cover with plastic wrap. Keep warm until serving time.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 213.2 calories, Carbohydrate 25.4 g, Cholesterol 31.7 mg, Fat 11.2 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 3.9 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 72.1 mg, Sugar 1.1 g