Introduction: Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Step 1: Gather Ingredients
You'll need your desired amount of potatoes, different spices, I used Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, and parsley, as well as a large pot, cutting board, and mixers.
Step 2: Wash and Cut
Use a brush to clean off the potato skins. Then cut them into small cubes. I always cut them to about a 1/2 inch cube because the smaller you cut them, the faster they cook, and the less gas or electricity it takes. If you are super conscience and lacking a time restraint, use a crock pot on the low setting for 10 hours.
Step 3: Add Water and Salt
Fill with water, enough to cover the potatoes and add a few shakes of salt.
Step 4: Cook
Place pot on burner with a lid on top. Most people will not use a lid when cooking potatoes because they tend to boil over and make a big starchy mess, BUT if you keep them at a low heat and stir them periodically, you will be fine. Having a lid on top will cut the cooking time in half and inevitably save energy and money. The time they take to cook depends on how small you cut them. It normally takes ten to fifteen minutes.
Step 5: Strain and Season
Once the potatoes reach a soft consistency (bit into one and if it is soft you're good) take them off the burner and strain them. Put them back into the pot (or a nice large glass/ceramic bowl if you have it) and add your desired amount of seasonings. Be generous with them, if you use a lot of potatoes you'll need a lot of seasoning to make them take exquisite.
Step 6: Mix and Mash
Use your electric mixer (if hand mixer if you so desire, good for those forearms!) and mix them to a desired consistency. I like them smooth and creamy, so I mixed them fairly long and I add milk and butter during this process as well.
Step 7: Enjoy!
Once you reach that creamy wonderful consistency stop mixing and serve. Enjoy them as a side dish to a spectacular meal or alone (depending on how well you made them).