Best Mash Potato Recipe

We all know that the favourite side dish for a pie is a great mash and for a pasty, you can’t beat some crispy skin on fries. 
But how to make a great creamy mash?
You really need to make sure you have the best type of spuds here. There are so many different varieties out there it can get a bit confusing.
If you’ve had the chance to wander round the farmers’ markets you may well have seen some of the more unusual heritage ones, with amazing names like Kepplestone Kidney or Mr Little’s Yetholm Gypsy. Now quite rare, this spud is named after the Little brothers who developed them in the border village of Yetholm which happens to be the Gypsy capital of Scotland. Now the name makes sense!

Crate of potatoes
But in the supermarkets you’re more likely to find Rooster, Maris Piper or Charlotte on the shelves.
Knowing what you want to use your spuds for is kind of key here. It just depends on whether you want to mash, boil, roast, bake or chip your spuds, matching your spuds to your recipe - and you’ll get a great result, and the family will be happy!
For a truly delicious buttery mash choose a floury potato like a Maris Piper. We’ve got a real easy recipe to follow to make a seriously great mash!

What you need:

  • 1½ kg Maris Piper, cut into even chunks 😉

  • 125ml semi-skimmed milk

  • 1 tbsp butter

  • 4 tbsp cream or crème fraîche (crème fraîche gives a great result also has the bonus of fewer calories)

How to:

  1. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add the potatoes, making sure they are covered with water. Boil for about 15 mins or until tender. To test just stick a sharp knife in...if the chunks slip off - they're ready.

  2. Transfer to a colander and drain well, then return to the pan and set over a very low heat for 2 mins to dry completely.

  3. Heat the milk and butter in a small pan, then pour over the potatoes. Stir in well then remove from the heat. Mash potatoes with either an electric hand whisk or potato masher. Add the cream or créme fraîche and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy.

  4. Season to your taste with pepper and a pinch of salt, till you’ve got the perfect mash. 

  5. Serve 😋

Bowl of creamy mashed potato.

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