Johns Mashed Potatoes Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S CLASSIC POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Place potatoes and onion into a large bowl and pour enough cold water in the bowl to cover by several inches. Let rest until potatoes and onion are completely soaked, 20 to 30 minutes. Pour potato mixture into a colander, rinse, drain, and squeeze repeatedly to remove all moisture.
• Whisk eggs, flour, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until smooth.
• Mix potato mixture and egg mixture together in a large bowl with a spatula.
• Heat 1/4-inch oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers, drop large spoonfuls of potato batter into hot oil and flatten with a spatula to about 1/2-inch thick. Cook until the edges of pancakes are golden brown and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, flip pancakes, and cook until golden brown and crispy on the other side, about 5 minutes more. Repeat cooking process with remaining batter.

CHEF JOHN'S TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Rub potatoes with vegetable oil and place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a paring knife easily inserts into the center of a potato, about 1 hour. Set aside to cool until easy to handle, about 10 minutes.
• Cut 1/3 off each potato lengthwise. Scoop flesh from each potato to within about 1/8-inch of the skins. Transfer flesh to a bowl.
• Combine potato flesh with butter and green onion; stir until butter is melted evenly into potato. Add salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cheese; stir until cheese is melted. Pour cream and egg yolk into potato mixture; mix to combine. Season with salt to taste.
• Place small piece of potato skin inside the bottom of each larger potato shell. Fill each potato with an equal amount of cheese mixture. Gently press the surface of the filling with a fork to create texture. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake stuffed potatoes until golden brown on top, 20 to 30 minutes.

CHEF JOHN'S ULTIMATE MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and cut into quarters. Transfer to a bowl of cold water and rinse to remove starch. Drain and transfer to a pot of cold water. Very generously salt the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are soft and the tip of a knife goes in easily, 20 to 25 minutes.
• While the potatoes are cooking, cut butter in chunks and let come to room temperature.
• Drain potatoes thoroughly and return to the pot. Set over medium-low heat and mash with a potato masher until potatoes. Season with salt and pepper and add ¼ of the softened butter chunks. Mash until butter just about disappears.
• Add another 1/4 of the butter and mix with a wire whisk until it just about disappears. Whisk in the remaining butter in 2 additions as before; potatoes will be light and creamy after all the butter has been mixed in.
• Whisk in hot milk until incorporated. Add cayenne and more salt if needed. Serve immediately.

JOHN'S MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Cut potatoes in half if small, or in 1 1/2" pieces depending on size. Bring water to boil in a medium sauce pan, when it is boiling add 1/4 cup salt. Add potatoes to pot and return it to a slow boil, just above a simmer. Cook potatoes at a slow boil until tender. Remove from heat and drain in a colander. Place potatoes in a bowl and cover loosely and set aside.
• Just before serving, using an immersion blender, stir and mash potatoes, gradually stirring in soy milk until you've reached the desired consistency. Stir in butter and taste for seasoning, adding additional salt to taste and plenty of black pepper. Serve immediately.

CHEF JOHN'S PERFECT MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place the potatoes into a large pot, and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, and return the potatoes to the pot. Turn heat to high, and allow the potatoes to dry for about 30 seconds. Turn off the heat.
• Mash the potatoes with a potato masher twice around the pot, then add the butter and milk. Continue to mash until smooth and fluffy. Whisk in the salt and black pepper until evenly distributed, about 15 seconds.

JOHN'S CREAMY GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel and dice potatoes, making sure all are relatively the same size.
• Place in a large saucepan and cover with water.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to maintain a rolling boil.
• Cook until potatoes fall apart when poked with a fork.
• Heat the half-and-half and the garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat until cream is simmering.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• Remove the potatoes from the heat and drain off the water.
• Mash and add the garlic-cream mixture, salt, and Parmesan; stir to combine.
• Serve immediately.