Tips From the Kitchen: The Best Mashed Potatoes

There's nothing better than a bowl of creamy, silky mashed potatoes! Here are some tips on how to make the best mashed potatoes:

 

• Best choices for potatoes are Russet (very starchy, creamy) or Yukon Gold (great buttery flavor). Red Bliss potatoes are too starchy and not recommended. Leave skin on and cook until a paring knife slips easily into the potato.
• Science behind leaving the skins on - the starch is protected by the skin and potatoes will be less gummy.
• Always salt your water that you cook your potatoes in. They will be more flavorful.
• Once your potatoes are cooked, process them through a potato ricer for silky, creamy mashed potatoes. A potato masher can be used, but will yield slightly chunky potatoes.
• Do not over mix your potatoes and never use a food processor or electric mixer. The starch becomes gummy and potatoes will not be fluffy and creamy.
• Add melted, warm butter before adding warm dairy.
• Science behind leaving the skins on - the fat encapsulates the starch and the potatoes will be silkier.
• If you are going to hold your potatoes for an hour or two before serving, place mashed potatoes in a metal bowl over simmering water and cover (make sure the bowl does not touch the water). The potatoes will remain silky. You may have to add a little additional dairy just before serving.

Favorite Mashed Potato Recipe:

 

 

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds russet potatoes, unpeeled
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup warm half-and-half or whole milk
• 2-4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1-1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pepper

Directions:

1. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Add 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are soft and a paring knife easily slides into each potato. Do not overcook. Drain and remove peels with a paring knife.
2. Pass potatoes through a ricer or mash into a large metal bowl. Stir in butter.
3. Heat half and half or whole milk and garlic 5-10 minutes in a small pot. Do not allow to boil. Remove garlic cloves and discard. Stir milk into potatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serves 4.

Enjoy!

The Perfect Roast Turkey

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s time to finalize your menus for the big day! If you’re looking for a way to dress up your traditional dinner, why not try this lacquered roast turkey? A glaze made with our Orange Cranberry Marmalade is applied during the cook time, leaving the skin shiny and crisp while the inside remains juicy and flavorful.

Lacquered Roast Turkey

Ingredients:

• 1 (12 to 15-pound) turkey, rinsed under cool water and patted dry, excess fat removed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh sage leaves
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup of Stonewall Kitchen Orange Cranberry Marmalade
• 1/3 cup hearty red wine
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime or lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups turkey or chicken stock

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Season turkey cavity with salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon of sage leaves. Place onion inside. Cream butter, remaining sage, 1 teaspoon of salt and several turns of pepper together until smooth. Starting at the neck, carefully work your hand under the turkey skin, separating it from the breast meat. Spread sage butter evenly under the skin, patting the skin outside to smooth it out. Truss turkey legs, fold wings underneath body and season with salt and pepper.
3. Roast turkey breast on an upper rack in a roasting pan for 20 minutes. Turn heat down to 325 degrees and continue roasting until cooked, about 20 minutes per pound.
4. While turkey is roasting, combine selected Stonewall Kitchen Orange Cranberry Marmalade, wine, lime juice, honey and Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat and reduce by half. Strain and set aside.
5. About 1/2 hour before turkey is done, when a meat thermometer reads about 160 degrees F, begin basting turkey with the glaze. Baste every 10 minuets until turkey thigh reaches an internal temperature of 175 degrees F. Reserve unused glaze for gravy.
6. Remove turkey from oven and drain cavity and pan juices into a measuring cup. Transfer turkey to a platter and tent loosely with foil while preparing gravy. Turkey should stand for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
7. Spoon 3 tablespoons of fat from the pan juices (or unsalted butter) into a saucepan. Skim off remaining fat and discard. Heat fat over medium-high heat. Stir in flour and cook until it is medium brown color. Whisk in stock and bring to a boil. When smooth, whisk in pan juice and remaining glaze and bring back to a boil. Season with salt and pepper and serve with sliced turkey.

 If you're looking for a way to use up the rest of your Orange Cranberry Marmalade, although it is delicious simply on toast and scones, try this side dish to accompany your roast turkey:

Candied Baby Carrots

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of baby carrots, steamed or boiled until just tender, well drained
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Stonewall Kitchen Orange Cranberry Marmalade
• Salt and white pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon flat-leaf parsley, optional

Directions:

1. Melt butter and Orange Cranberry Marmalade in a large skillet over medium-high heat until bubbly.
2. Add carrots and stir to cover with glaze. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in parsley, if desired, and cook until carrots are hot.
3. Serve at once or gently reheat over medium-low heat, adding a little water if necessary.

For more festive recipes, check out our favorite Thanksgiving recipes on our website.