Giadas Classic Mashed Potatoes Recipes

BAKED MASHED POTATOES WITH PEAS, PARMESAN CHEESE AND BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking dish. Set aside.
• For the potatoes: In a large saucepan, combine the butter, salt and potatoes. Add enough cold water to cover the potatoes by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil until the potatoes are very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the same pot. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until smooth. Mix in the mozzarella, milk, Parmesan and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the potatoes to the prepared baking dish.
• For the peas: In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the thawed peas and cook until heated through. Add the salt and pepper.
• Using a large spoon, make a 4-inch well in the center of the potatoes and fill with the cooked peas.
• For the topping: Stir the cheese and breadcrumbs in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the mashed potatoes (can be prepared up to this point 6 hours ahead of time; cover and chill).
• Drizzle the top with olive oil and bake until the topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes.

CLASSIC MASHED POTATOES WITH THREE VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes, cut them into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large pot of boiling salted water. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Drain the potatoes in a colander and then return them to the pot.
• Meanwhile, heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan until the butter is melted.
• Put the potatoes into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix them for a few seconds on low speed, to break them up. At low speed, slowly add the hot milk/butter mixture to make the potatoes very creamy. Add the sour cream, 2 teaspoons of salt and the pepper and mix to combine. Serve hot.
• Three variations:
• Truffle Butter Mashed Potatoes: Add 3 tablespoons room temperature white truffle butter to the Classic Mashed Potatoes and combine.
• Parmesan Mashed Potatoes: Add 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan to the Classic Mashed Potatoes and combine.
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Place 1/2 cup garlic cloves and 1/2 cup olive oil in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 20 minutes and then add the garlic cloves and 3 tablespoons of the oil to the Classic Mashed Potatoes and combine.

CHEESY MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place the potatoes, rosemary and garlic in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Add a handful of salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well and remove the rosemary sprigs.
• Working over the same saucepan, press the potatoes and garlic through a potato ricer. Add the warmed cream and olive oil. Place the pan back over low heat and stir everything together using a rubber spatula. Add the mozzarella, Parmesan and 1/2 teaspoon salt and continue to stir until the mixture is hot, the cheese is melted and the potatoes are almost stringy in texture--this will take 5 to 10 minutes. Serve hot.

BAKED MASHED POTATOES WITH PARMESAN CHEESE AND BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter and set aside.
• Cook the potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water until they are very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain; return the potatoes to the same pot and mash well. Mix in the milk and melted butter. Mix in the mozzarella and 3/4 cup of the Parmesan. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Transfer the potatoes to the prepared baking dish. Stir the bread crumbs and remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the mashed potatoes. Recipe can be prepared up to this point 6 hours ahead of time; cover and chill.
• Bake, uncovered, until the topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes.

BUTTERY HERBED POTATOES

Steps:

• Adjust an oven rack to the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Lay 2 large sheets of aluminum foil on a sheet pan. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, onion, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Use a rubber spatula to toss well to coat. Divide the mixture in the middle of each of the foil sheets. Dot with the cubes of butter and place the rosemary sprigs on top. Bring the edges of the foil up and around the potatoes and seal tightly. Place the packets on a baking sheet and roast, until the potatoes are tender, 30 to 35 minutes.

CLASSIC MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes, cut them into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large pot of boiling salted water. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Drain the potatoes in a colander and then return them to the pot.
• Meanwhile, heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan until the butter is melted.
• Using a hand held mixer, break the potatoes up and at low speed slowly add the hot milk/butter mixture to make the potatoes very creamy. Add the sour cream, 2 teaspoons of salt and the pepper and whisk to combine. Serve hot.

GIADA'S CLASSIC MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• In a 5-quart saucepan, combine the potatoes, 2 tablespoons butter, the garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain in a colander and remove the garlic cloves. Return the potatoes to the pan and, using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until smooth.
• Add the mascarpone, Parmesan, chicken broth, the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper to the potatoes. Stir over low heat until smooth and warmed through. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and serve.