ZUNI CAFÉ BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES

ZUNI CAFÉ BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES image

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 ¼ pounds peeled potatoes (scant 1 ½ pounds whole), cut into rough 1 ½ -
inch chuncks
Salt
2 to 3 tablespoons milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream, heated until hot
2 to 3 tablespoons buttermilk, at room temperature
About 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, just melted and still warm

Steps:

Place the potato chunks in a 2- to 4-quart saucepan and add cold water to cover by an inch or so. Stir in salt until you can just taste it clearly (I use a scant teaspoon sea salt per quart of water). Bring the potatoes to a boil, uncovered, and cook until very tender, about 8 to 15 minutes, depending on variety. Drain and mash while the potatoes are piping hot, then beat in the hot milk, half-and-half, or cream, and then the buttermilk. Finish with the butter. Whip vigorously, taste for salt, and serve immediately, or keep warm, covered, in a double boiler, for up to 30 minutes.