The trick for ultra-smooth, not-gluey mashed potatoes

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  • Опубліковано 30 жов 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 865

  • @iant2064
    @iant2064 2 роки тому +2298

    Interesting. I wonder if "Grandma's" mashed potatoes were always so good because she was cooking for like 9 people, which would take forever to get boiling.

    • @henrymarks2237
      @henrymarks2237 2 роки тому +194

      Interesting hypothesis!

    • @TSC_Miles
      @TSC_Miles 2 роки тому +425

      I think that (at least, in my experience), the unholy amount of butter my grandma used to add probably has something to do with it.

    • @aragusea
      @aragusea  2 роки тому +1216

      mind exploding gif

    • @AspectRx
      @AspectRx 2 роки тому +13

      @@aragusea :trol:

    • @ConnorJaneu
      @ConnorJaneu 2 роки тому +5

      @@aragusea Eric Wareheim perhaps?

  • @chinacharltan
    @chinacharltan 2 роки тому +47

    In South Africa we have something called Slap (pronounced "slup") Chips. It was accidentally invented by lazy cooks who were supposed to make french fries. They chucked in way more potato chips into the oil before it reached temperature, this caused the fries to parboil for 20 minutes before it actually started to fry. The result is an amazingly soft and smooth interior with a slightly crisp exterior, but browned enough to have the fried flavour.

    • @danielblank9917
      @danielblank9917 2 місяці тому +1

      Love slapchips, especially when they're floppy.

    • @vespasiancloscan7077
      @vespasiancloscan7077 16 днів тому

      Brilliant, I also accidentally invented that. Was planning to fry them in lard but I didn't have enough, so I really crowded them in a small saucepan and supplemented with oil. Didn't even bother melting the lard beforehand. Not the prettiest looking fries, but great texture.

  • @Jared3723
    @Jared3723 2 роки тому +184

    Adam! Your guess was actually pretty spot on I would say(I am a chemistry PhD student). If the enzymes can not get in contact with the starch, then yes it should have a different taste. One way to test this hypothesis would be to keep chewing the mash and see if it eventually taste different. This would be similar to chewing a saltine cracker for a period of time. Alternately, you blast it in your food processor for a period of time and see if that destroys the cells and releases the starch(might get gluey though).
    Great videos! Love the science!

    • @Chakafuyo21
      @Chakafuyo21 2 роки тому +3

      I can tell from experience that if you use a food processor or any kind of blender to do your mashed potatoes / puree, it becomes really gluey.

    • @JoshDragRace0688
      @JoshDragRace0688 2 роки тому +2

      @@Chakafuyo21 Yea too much air, beater or by hand are then only ways imo, even a beater can quickly make it gluey though if u beat it to long.

    • @mesiroy1234
      @mesiroy1234 Рік тому

      I hate sconce this too copliacted 1 hour instef.of 12 min is godamm stupied

  • @unweoncualquieradeinternet4151
    @unweoncualquieradeinternet4151 2 роки тому +809

    Fun fact: Here in Chile we have our own version of mashed potatoes called Charquican, wich has ground beef and veggies mixed into it (and pumpkin in some cases) and it's usually toped with a fried egg with a runny yolk, very delicious!

    • @gunna2cool
      @gunna2cool 2 роки тому +32

      Huh, I actually make something like that from time to time... Never knew it had a name, thanks.

    • @LopsidedFrogs
      @LopsidedFrogs 2 роки тому +12

      That sounds delicious, I’ll have to make some!

    • @arijeanz
      @arijeanz 2 роки тому +16

      sounds insane, i should try it

    • @sparklingwine7062
      @sparklingwine7062 2 роки тому +33

      Brazillian here, one of my favorite childhood dishes was mashed potatos with ground beef and carrots, now you made want to put a fried egg on top next time.

    • @anniestumpy9918
      @anniestumpy9918 2 роки тому +4

      Mmh, that sounds tasty, I've honestly never heard of that dish. Have to try it some time 😊

  • @joewee
    @joewee 2 роки тому +380

    Potential game changer: Adam simmers the garlic with the potatoes and reserves some water to get his garlic flavor in. The best garlic/herby potatoes I've ever had were made by STEEPING crushed whole garlic, sage, and rosemary in full-fat cream in a small pot on the side, and then adding the STRAINED cream mixture at the end (instead of reserved potato water).
    I would hypothesize that steeping the aromatics in cream binds a lot of flavor molecules with fat, which is a better flavor delivery vehicle than water.
    The flavored cream gives a nice balance and richness to the plain salty potatoes.

    • @Just_Sara
      @Just_Sara 2 роки тому +13

      Hm, fat-soluable compounds! Hadn't thought of that.

    • @TGlooknohands
      @TGlooknohands 2 роки тому +18

      Yup! And Heston even goes the extra mile and puts his potato peelings in the cream along with the garlic and the herbs before simmering it to infuse as the potato skins hold most of the potato's flavor. And either a food mill or passing the mash through a chinois will yield an even more pleasant pillowy texture, closer to what you might find at a fancy restaurant.

    • @gggalaxygamer
      @gggalaxygamer 2 роки тому +14

      Why I season my water not my potatoes

    • @theprogrammer32
      @theprogrammer32 2 роки тому +17

      What a coincidence:
      the best brownies I've ever had were made by boiling the herbs in butter before straining and adding it to the brownie mix!
      ;)

    • @daviddickey370
      @daviddickey370 2 роки тому +7

      There is some science here: people whose guts are sensitive to onions/garlic (belching, bloating, etc.) will often do fine if the aromatics are simmered in olive oil or clarified butter/ghee. The carbohydrates that cause indigestion (fodmaps) are water soluble, while the flavor/aroma molecules are mainly fat soluble.

  • @martin_miller
    @martin_miller 2 роки тому +101

    Interesting technique … I wonder about doing this Sous Vide. Could hold the potatoes at the blanching temp easily and very accurately. Put the bag in cold water, then refrigerate and cook at higher temperature when you want.
    I usually do sous vide mash when spending a weekend in a self catering place. I prepare mash and a stew, sous vide, in advance and then just reheat when I get there. Works great.
    Another advantage of a sous vide mash is you don’t need loads of water, so the potato cooking water is already in the bag and flavour does not escape and remains strong, in a good way.
    You can also just press the bag to squash the potatoes in the bag to create a mash.
    Now the autumn (fall) is with us, I am going to experiment in combining our techniques to see how it works.
    Thanks Adam!

    • @machematix
      @machematix 2 роки тому +10

      Water soluble vitamins would remain too!

    • @StopTryingSoHard
      @StopTryingSoHard 2 роки тому +6

      It's pretty standard sous vide technique. You hold them for 1 hour at 60C and then second cook (which can actually just be at 90-95C rather than boiling) for 10-20 minutes before milling them.
      Then if you want to go full Robuchon, get a fine sieve and push them through it.

    • @joshr408
      @joshr408 2 роки тому +3

      Guga foods apparently sous vides' his mashed potatoes. Haven't tried it yet, but according to how he makes it, you can just take a rolling pin or bottle to the bag and only dirty a serving bowl

    • @stevenhaas9622
      @stevenhaas9622 2 роки тому +1

      @@joshr408 he also puts butter and I think cream right in the sous vide bag with the potatoes.

  • @frosiaburlakova7732
    @frosiaburlakova7732 2 роки тому +1

    This is an amazing method to try! Thank you! I am a chemist, and I always appreciate your research on each video. Yours is the only American food and cooking channel I watch, you are the best!

  • @ivyrose779
    @ivyrose779 2 роки тому +259

    Video request!!! I would love a video on powdered and other shelf stable milk products. I don’t use milk much so it tends to spoil but it need it often enough that to make it hassle having to pick up a small bottle every time. It would be so helpful to know the best options for a shelf stable substitute for fresh milk, even better if there’s one that’s fairly high in fat.

    • @novachair6476
      @novachair6476 2 роки тому +7

      Seconded.

    • @Lilithksheh7723
      @Lilithksheh7723 2 роки тому +5

      This sounds interesting!

    • @alinaantochi5940
      @alinaantochi5940 2 роки тому +5

      Same problem here. I'd love to see a video on it

    • @katarh
      @katarh 2 роки тому +12

      Also the same problem! I keep a can of evaporated milk for "emergencies" and dilute it to make it into a pasteurized milk, but I never end up using all of it before it goes bad a few days later. I tried powdered milk but it got super expensive there for a while, I think due to the formula shortage and people improperly using it to replace baby formula (hopefully with other ingredients for nutrients because cooking milk powder is NOT the same at all.) Lactaid seemed to last a bit longer than regular milk, but it would still spoil before I used it all.

    • @caiokatayama2661
      @caiokatayama2661 2 роки тому +15

      You can freeze milk.

  • @justind7029
    @justind7029 2 роки тому +6

    Adam, your content is amazing. Thanks for testing out myths in cooking that no one else does. It's really refreshing. I try to do the same at home but never have the time to dial in the variables. Thanks for the quality content and analysis, we appreciate it.

  • @nessuno__
    @nessuno__ 2 роки тому +27

    I wonder if this effect is what led to the use of the traditional home cook method that I learned of where you always add your potatoes to the water before you start heating the water. I would imagine you get at least some of this result as it takes so long for the pot to come to a full boil.

    • @JohnNaru2112
      @JohnNaru2112 2 роки тому +1

      It’s also to stop the potato from turning brown because of oxidization while cutting the rest of the potatoes.

  • @LingLing1337
    @LingLing1337 2 роки тому +148

    Here’s why I put my potatoes in my butter, and not the other way around

    • @thepatriarchy819
      @thepatriarchy819 2 роки тому +7

      Please people don't make this the top comment

    • @Eavolution_
      @Eavolution_ 2 роки тому +1

      ​@@thepatriarchy819 Too late

    • @jamesiyer4937
      @jamesiyer4937 2 роки тому +2

      @@thepatriarchy819No chance

    • @SigmaAlphaMeatEater
      @SigmaAlphaMeatEater 2 роки тому +4

      @@thepatriarchy819 why do these comments trigger you lmao?

    • @thepatriarchy819
      @thepatriarchy819 2 роки тому +1

      Because everyone knows you season the earth and you never have to worry about anything.

  • @A_Casual_NPC
    @A_Casual_NPC 2 роки тому +11

    Hey Adam, here's something you might want to try as a variation on your mashed potatoes; replace about half of your butter with sour cream. That little bit of tanginess really brightens up the mash

  • @IUBB
    @IUBB 2 роки тому +8

    Hey Adam, long time viewer who has been a lurker for a while. Love your content and you! Keep up the great work:)

  • @dustinphillips605
    @dustinphillips605 2 роки тому +1

    I appreciate the research type video followed up by the practical application video pattern. I hope you have more opportunities to deliver videos that way in the future.

  • @abdonabdo
    @abdonabdo 2 роки тому +1

    Just tried it yesterday. BRO, that's F amaaaazing. Thanks for sharing that wit us. Every trick I learned from you and actually tried turned out to be a huge improvement. Thank a loooot

  • @kimberlypatton9634
    @kimberlypatton9634 Рік тому +9

    Yukon Gold have an absolutely delicious flavor though! My mom's trick was always to just cover the cut potatoes with water and cook on low,covered,Until tender.Drain any water left and mash.Her secret always was to add a tablespoon of mayo to the 5 or 6 cups cooked potatoes.Then mix in butter and finally any milk to get to the consistency you like.Also you don't have to mash them totally but leave a bit chunky and add some re-hydrated parsley flakes or chopped fresh parsley - it's delish!

  • @rhekman
    @rhekman 2 роки тому +100

    I'm a fan of "steakhouse style" mashed potatoes. My favorite weeknight method is to cut a couple small or a medium red potatoes into cubes, cover with water, then start cold on the stove. After about 20 minutes, once fork tender, pour off the water into a measuring cup and smash the cubes to almost the desired chunkiness. Then in the hot pot, add potato flakes and add back the water to make the 1-2 serving recipe from the box (plus milk, butter, etc. called for). Salt to taste.
    This method is faster than the slow simmer, gives me the red potato chunks that I like, while also having a creamy base.

    • @machematix
      @machematix 2 роки тому +16

      Potato flakes get a bad rap, but it's just dehydrated potatoes and is an amazing ingredient.

    • @rhekman
      @rhekman 2 роки тому +8

      @@machematix Yup, and not just for mash.

    • @gelusvenn5063
      @gelusvenn5063 2 роки тому

      So THAT'S how they get that texture. I always wondered since it's not quite like anything I've had anywhere else. Gonna try that out.

    • @rhekman
      @rhekman 2 роки тому

      @@gelusvenn5063 I don't know if that's how actual restaurants do it. It's just a convenient way to get homogeneous mash in less than 30 minutes.

    • @thequadrupleagent4130
      @thequadrupleagent4130 3 місяці тому +1

      So it's basically a hybrid real and instant mash.

  • @shizWinkle
    @shizWinkle 2 роки тому +24

    I’m sure someone else has mentioned it already, but the best mash I’ve ever made is potatoes, garlic and butter in a vacuum sealed bag, sous vide.
    Just crush them in the bag once they’ve hit temp, maybe stir in half a tablespoon of cream or milk. Salt and pepper to taste - et voila!
    Potato flavour is concentrated because you’re not boiling out the best parts

  • @darrenb1367
    @darrenb1367 2 роки тому +33

    Adam, I discovered several years ago that cooking in a pressure cooker gives superior mash. I've been doing it that way ever since. Would be curious to see you do a follow up comparison.

  • @op4000exe
    @op4000exe 2 роки тому +40

    Gotta say Adam, that looks amazing, not sure I would go all the way for the second method, but the first one definitely seems doable (especially because it's essentially an easier way to do it).
    An interresting thing to think about, is that we here in the west general consider "glue'y mashed potatoes to be bad", but in China they have dishes directly centered around mashing it until it becomes glue'y, wonder how that would change a mash and what you could do with that.
    Havn't personally tried the glue'y recipes, but definitely want to try it at some point when I am able to do it better than I currently can.

    • @Doct0rLekter
      @Doct0rLekter 2 роки тому +2

      Pounded mashed potato is delightful and smooth without needing even a drop of butter. I love the almost cheese like stretch of the mash.

    • @mjs3188
      @mjs3188 2 роки тому +5

      "glue'y mashed potatoes to be bad"
      I've never actually heard this until this video, so I'm wondering if it's a regional or wealth related thing. I grew up lower middle class in the South and it was always gluey mash made the most practical way possible, so I love gluey mashed potatoes. These don't look appetizing to me at all.

    • @op4000exe
      @op4000exe 2 роки тому +1

      @@mjs3188 It's a thing I've seen in loads of cooking videos over the years. I personally live in Denmark, and while that idea does exist there, it's not as prevalent. But if you check a lot of cooking youtube channels talking about mashed potatoes, they basically stress that you must not "overbeat potatoes so it gets glue'y". I just find this odd, as it's not really a case of ruining them, but rather a case of making them different.

  • @raywharton9425
    @raywharton9425 2 роки тому +29

    My great grandma had pride in feeding any person that came to the door, whether they like it or not, and whether they were expected or not.
    She always kept mostly cooked potatoes in her fridge, she'd cook then and then keep a few in the fridge so she could use them quickly to make a meal if someone showed up. I wonder if her practice of keeping half cooked potato around would have enjoyed the same science effect.

  • @qasagod
    @qasagod 2 роки тому +11

    I like the Heston connection! Feels like your combination of cooking + science compliments his style perfectly. Even if your feelings on his mash were mixed, I'd love if you brought us some more heston techniques that can be applied in the home kitchen!

    • @boa2999
      @boa2999 2 роки тому

      Surprised to hear something positive about Heston for sure.

  • @robertmoliski5935
    @robertmoliski5935 2 роки тому +2

    Here is an update. I have a lot of sous vide machines, but I used my instant pot with the sous vide function for this. I found two important steps that make this very easy. Instead of sous viding them at 119F for an extended period of time and then cranking up the temperature to 194F, I put the bag into room temperature water (filled to the top of the bowl) and then just set it for 194F. I think that the effect on the starches is the same as you experienced because it is a slow rise to 194F. Secondly, I learned that you have to put water in the bag along with butter and make sure that the potatoes are laid out flat and not in a clump. I left them in until I could break one of the potato pieces easily through the plastic. After removing them from the bag, I just proceeded as you did. I whipped them at very high speed in my KitchenAid stand mixer and they never got gluey. The potato water mixed with powdered milk tasted great! My 15 year old daughter loved the mashed potatoes so I know they were good as she would never lie to save my feelings. I can imagine preparing the bag of potatoes the night before Thanksgiving and then just throwing them in the water a couple of hours before service. What could be easier?
    Thanks for all you do! I'd like to see more sous vide videos, but maybe that's not something your audience wants.

  • @BruceEEvans1
    @BruceEEvans1 2 роки тому +3

    I used to use the mixer to "mash" the potatoes but it got to where the result looked and felt in my mouth like gruel. And once I made that connection I could never eat whipped potatoes again without thinking Gruel. Now I use a potato masher and it leaves the potatoes a little lumpy and I like it that way.

  • @NilesHlavacek
    @NilesHlavacek 2 роки тому

    Interesting choice on color balance for this video. Good looking recipe, I'll be sure to try it out!

  • @YungStinkyWinky
    @YungStinkyWinky 2 роки тому +227

    Call me crazy, but mushy, watery mashed potatoes like these just set me off. It's like babyfood. Mash has gotta be starchy and robust enough to hold up on your fork, not slorping off the side, but still creamy and smooth.

    • @katilkoala5037
      @katilkoala5037 2 роки тому +18

      Agreed. Chasin smooth af mash just requires a lot more effort for (imo) inferior mash. If i wanted that, i would have gone to kfc

    • @xdeser2949
      @xdeser2949 2 роки тому +22

      big same, call me crazier but skins are also kinda nice especially with reds

    • @YungStinkyWinky
      @YungStinkyWinky 2 роки тому +7

      @@xdeser2949 Oh you gotta have the skins in there! Even with russets, I love em. I'd love to see Adam do a more sturdy mash and see what he thinks of it.

    • @harbingerofwarx995
      @harbingerofwarx995 2 роки тому +7

      Look up Yunnan pounded potatoes. It's basically the opposite of this. You pound potatoes with a mortar and pestle kinda like how you'd make dough, and end up with a very smooth but very gluey and stretchy type of mashed potatoes. I prefer that.

    • @brongulus2617
      @brongulus2617 2 роки тому +9

      I'm so sad to have to agree that it's visually obvious to me that Adam has produced mashed potatoes that I would politely stir around on my plate to make it look like I ate at least some of them. Not only should mashed potatoes hold up on your fork, they should be able to hold your fork up.

  • @rebelwave100
    @rebelwave100 2 роки тому +4

    The cook and cool and cook again method may make the potatoes "Healthier" by encouraging the formation of Resistant Starch, I wonder if this is why it has the smoothing softening effect?

  • @djm6683
    @djm6683 2 роки тому +6

    I feel like the only person on earth who likes gluey mashed potatoes

    • @consoleking9670
      @consoleking9670 2 роки тому +1

      i’m with you man. i use a stick blender for mine specifically to get that texture

    • @Nyx773
      @Nyx773 2 роки тому

      @@consoleking9670 Using a blender, beaters, or ricer is not "mashed". It's whipped.

    • @headerahelix
      @headerahelix 2 роки тому

      @@Nyx773 Ok potato police. What are you gonna do, break into his house and beat him with his stick blender?

  • @pwsiegel
    @pwsiegel Рік тому +1

    I tried this last night and it worked great - the trick of using reserved cooking liquid instead of milk to manage the texture was particularly useful, and added a lot of potato-y flavor.

  • @davidhaley8542
    @davidhaley8542 2 роки тому +5

    I like your thoughts and methods in this video. That said, I prefer more texture (or perhaps I should say less creaminess) since I usually serve mashed potatoes with a thick, creamy, heavily peppered béchamel or velouté sauce, and I like the textural contrast between the creamy sauce and stiffer (i.e., less fluid) potatoes. This is, of course, just my opinion.

  • @kimvibk9242
    @kimvibk9242 2 роки тому

    Thanks, Adam - I will be trying this recipe with a stew tomorrow...can't wait!

  • @Shedsy.
    @Shedsy. 2 роки тому

    There we have it again. Adam turns his hand to a particular topic and ends up making the best video about said topic on UA-cam. Best mash video, ever.

    • @diannt9583
      @diannt9583 2 роки тому

      not really. Mashed potatoes require more heterogeneity. And a dash of nutmeg...

  • @PikaBolaChan
    @PikaBolaChan Рік тому +3

    when i want mashed potatoes i don’t want it to be like soup, i’d not give in to this supposedly ‘glue’ like texture that this guys talking about

  • @FutureCommentary1
    @FutureCommentary1 2 роки тому +5

    I watched Bigger Bolder Baking yesterday making potato farls and a potato bread. I don't care for mashed potatoes but both the farls and the potato (quick) bread looked really nice, and I totally can make mashed potato just for make those recipes.

  • @stevenbrodie404
    @stevenbrodie404 2 роки тому +1

    Cheeky little trick for those who like corn in their mash: put a bowl with frozen corn into the sink, and drain the potato water into that. The heat from that water, along with the heat from the potatoes you have then mashed, is enough to defrost the corn when you mix it in

  • @jonatanfredriksson1087
    @jonatanfredriksson1087 2 роки тому +13

    I was surprised that you mentioned people using white pepper for esthetics, never thought of it that way. For me, the distinct white pepper flavor is what makes the mash feel homely.

    • @kamcorder3585
      @kamcorder3585 2 роки тому +4

      It tastes totally different! I love white pepper in mashed potatoes.

    • @JoshDragRace0688
      @JoshDragRace0688 2 роки тому +2

      @@kamcorder3585 It should, black pepper and white pepper are made completely differently. It is more then just looks.
      I prefer the taste of black pepper myself though.

    • @fruitylerlups530
      @fruitylerlups530 3 місяці тому

      i wish people would realize that white pepper is used for its distinct flavor not just "aesthetic"

    • @cloudkitt
      @cloudkitt 26 днів тому

      As someone who loves black pepper, I'm always confused by the aesthetics thing anyway. Seeing black pepper is a good thing for me, because I wants it.

  • @definitelynotarobot835
    @definitelynotarobot835 2 роки тому +45

    I'm excited whenever I see potatoes, but I saw greenish potatoes and I had to click. Love your videos and knowledge, Adam!

    • @JosiahBradley
      @JosiahBradley 2 роки тому +1

      You should try Colcannon then! Delightfully green mash.

    • @TrollTrollski
      @TrollTrollski 2 роки тому

      Are you Irish?

    • @JosiahBradley
      @JosiahBradley 2 роки тому +1

      @@vlc-cosplayer Bonito is good stuff. And Taro! All good potatoes.

    • @pendlera2959
      @pendlera2959 2 роки тому

      @@vlc-cosplayer Purple potatoes are THE BEST.

  • @JuiceJive
    @JuiceJive 2 роки тому +5

    Huh, this explains a lot to me. I have been unintentionally using this technique for a few years. Since my grandmothers on both sides of my family passed away, we've been splitting up the dishes for holiday meals, and I always do the mashed potatoes. Everyone compliments me on them, although at first I thought they were backhanded because they'd inevitably mention how the texture was "almost like instant potatoes," but I suppose they were talking about them being smooth and not gluey.
    Owing to my bad experiences with unpredictable cheap electric stoves running away at high heat (yes, that's one reason I'm personally prejudiced towards gas), I tend to slow pedal the heat under my Yukon Golds and they take me a long time to cook. I also mash them through a food mill/ricer and gently fold the butter and milk in at the end. I may try powdered milk this year, if for nothing else than to have a bit more control over the final consistency while still getting the dairy flavor in. I'll just need to be sure not to salt that boil water.

  • @Yenneffer
    @Yenneffer 2 роки тому +16

    I know you've done a buncha tests in your last video, but have you tried steaming the potatoes for mash? It's my favorite way for maximum potato-ness without them drying out like when roasting.

    • @bluewren65
      @bluewren65 Рік тому +1

      I steam mine and the mash is always silky soft and not gluey.

  • @michaelkatz4068
    @michaelkatz4068 2 роки тому

    Thanks Adam, for once again doing the work we can only dream of doing. 🙏 and sharing the knowledge of life

  • @whiteraven23
    @whiteraven23 Рік тому

    Adam, THANK YOU!!!! I made a mental note to revisit this video for Thanksgiving. 'The Mashed Potatoes' have been my job in the family for a lot of years, and being the ONE day a year we do not use flakes, and use real potatoes, I fought, and tried and failed time and again! I wasn't making food, I was making brick mortar (blech).
    I used home-grown potatoes (Yukon Gold) that we grew this year. Always better, prettier, and more flavorful than the store. And I used the first cooking method in this video (without the spring onion...gotta ease Mom in to the idea of potatoes with bits). I used only 3 cloves of garlic, but at the very end I had mashed potatoes I was tempted to run to my neighbors with a spoon and the bowl screaming "TASTE!!!" I did not make brick mortar this year!!
    From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this video!!!

  • @LE0NSKA
    @LE0NSKA 2 роки тому

    I don't know.. I DON'T EVEN KNOW how perfectly timed this video is for me right now holy cow.

  • @bretwilliams249
    @bretwilliams249 2 роки тому

    I have perfected my mashed potatoes over the past 15 years and your method is nearly identical to mine. Where were you 15 years ago?! I could have saved so much time!

  • @dannyboyNS752
    @dannyboyNS752 2 роки тому +5

    Adam, I know you thought the idea of a 2:1 ratio of potatoes to butter is ridiculous, and it is, but if you haven't had Robuchon mashed it's a must try for a really decadent meal. I also like sometimes using a bit of goose or duck fat for a meaty potato flavour.

    • @jamescollier3
      @jamescollier3 2 роки тому +2

      yeah. 1/2 butter, cardboard would taste good lol.

  • @martinhyem8160
    @martinhyem8160 Рік тому

    The absolute best mash ever! Thank you as always for your work❤

  • @tree_eats
    @tree_eats 10 місяців тому +2

    There are so many videos on how to make apparently amazing mashed potatoes. After watching far too many of them, all I can really conclude is that potatoes are really fucking awesome.

  • @MurcuryEntertainment
    @MurcuryEntertainment 2 роки тому

    This feels like studying up well in advance of thanksgiving.

  • @Pheonixafire
    @Pheonixafire 2 роки тому

    Love that shot at the end!

  • @austindmunday
    @austindmunday 2 роки тому +1

    I legit thought this was guacamole for some reason

  • @liddybird3608
    @liddybird3608 2 роки тому +3

    Smooth and silky is about as opposite as you can get from the way I like my mashed potatoes. Red potatoes skins on. Cut into chunks. Big chunks. Boil. Drain without getting fanatical about it. Add chunks of butter, salt, (I'll have to try the garlic), mash with a metal masher just enough to break the skins. Stir with a fork. Eat with a spoon.

  • @TheWhiteDragon3
    @TheWhiteDragon3 2 роки тому +2

    I guess the reason kitchens do that extra step is so they can have large quantities of half-cooked potatoes by the time they start cooking dinner. Makes it quicker to move huge quantitites of potatoes out the kitchen.

  • @veraxis9961
    @veraxis9961 2 роки тому +3

    That first method seems like a winner. Even just visually that second one looks strange to me somehow. That said, I'm apparently a heathen for liking to make my mashed potatoes with pure red potatoes, skin on. So long as I don't over-beat, I have never found issue with them being overly gluey, and I find the texture of red potato skins really nice in mashed potatoes, and of course the color as well.

  • @arevee9429
    @arevee9429 2 роки тому

    It works! I've always found potatoes hard to get right and as a result, seldom cook them, but this method was a success! Thanks.

  • @terrymiller111
    @terrymiller111 2 роки тому

    The best ad segues/sponsor live reads on UA-cam, bar none.

  • @JasonColby
    @JasonColby 2 роки тому +1

    Reminds me a lot of beer making. We hold the grain/water mixture (aka, coincidentally(?), "the mash") at certain temperatures for certain amounts of time, mostly to allow a variety of enzymes to do their thing before being denatured in the boil.

  • @ezraoberheim1081
    @ezraoberheim1081 2 роки тому +6

    "as much butter as you can justify to yourself" is dangerous with me 😂 I used to use like half a stick on a single baked potato when I was a kid. Tastes good. I need more salt in my diet anyway. My cholesterol is good, screw it 😂

  • @taylorfnparsons
    @taylorfnparsons 2 роки тому

    Thanks for this video Adam. Next step is to make a video on how to properly reheat the extra mash.

  • @beautifulcarpetdiagram
    @beautifulcarpetdiagram 2 роки тому

    this is the definition of diminishing returns

  • @SirCorrino
    @SirCorrino 2 роки тому +9

    One thing my family has always added to mashed potatoes that takes it to a whole new level is a one chopped chili pepper (your choice of variety). Adds a little kick and some specks of color to it.

  • @scp234
    @scp234 2 роки тому

    I made Adam's version tonight and it came out delish. I was never a fan of mashed until now. It took a long time to boil the potatoes, 2+ hrs on a low simmer and they still weren't done so I blasted them for a couple of minutes at a higher boil. The boil liquid is very good, I used it to cook some dal in. I like the non-heterogeneous texture as he calls it that you get from whipping the potatoes. Using plenty of butter helps to smooth things out.

  • @xpndblhero5170
    @xpndblhero5170 2 роки тому +1

    3:20 - Adam: "Butter... As much as you can justify to yourself."
    Me: "Don't say things like that because I can justify a LOT of butter....." 😁

  • @ThatGenericCanadian
    @ThatGenericCanadian 2 роки тому

    Looks like I need to pick some potatoes up tomorrow for dinner Saturday, this looks fantastic!

  • @randomnickify
    @randomnickify 2 роки тому +4

    Note to myself: NEVER watch any Ragusea video just before going to bed, sleeping hungry is not fun 😑

  • @pepinop
    @pepinop 2 роки тому +1

    "I mash my mash with a masher".
    Idk about you, but my non-native english knowledge got upgraded right away. 🤣

  • @okgoodgame
    @okgoodgame 2 роки тому +2

    STOP SAYING MASH IM GOING TO DIE

  • @ajuicejemas
    @ajuicejemas 2 роки тому +7

    I love seeing the recipes you come up with after lots of empirical experimentation! Would be neat to see if the low and slow method works similarly with oatmeal.

  • @wot1fan885
    @wot1fan885 2 роки тому +1

    Dam green onions and whole cloves of whipped up garlic is on a new level amazing . Cant wait to try it .

  • @groerhahn225
    @groerhahn225 2 роки тому +1

    I swear, the one dish in the world that needs, absolutely *needs* nutmeg is mashed potatoes. Isn't that a thing in the states? It's the best combination known to man.

    • @diannt9583
      @diannt9583 2 роки тому

      I had a German housemate for a couple of years. He convinced me on the nutmeg!!!

  • @misc3741
    @misc3741 2 роки тому

    "Mash My Mash With A Masher".
    Single best quote in cooking history.

  • @ALAPINO
    @ALAPINO 2 роки тому +1

    "Sim-Simmer, who's got the key to research-based recipe development..."
    (Haha!)

  • @Unreg1sterdUser
    @Unreg1sterdUser 2 роки тому +1

    My parents' secret to mashed potatoes was always to use half and half fresh potatoes and instant mix. I thought it helped because they always chronically underseasoned their food, but this explains why the texture comes out better too - it's probably similar to your simmered but not cooled method.

  • @wrcawston144
    @wrcawston144 2 роки тому +4

    I prefer my mashed potatoes to be on the chunky side. I believe that to be a rarity

    • @KerriEverlasting
      @KerriEverlasting 2 роки тому +1

      Thats called country mashed potatoes.

    • @kvgm
      @kvgm 2 роки тому +1

      I think that's called smashed potatoes.

    • @Nyx773
      @Nyx773 2 роки тому +4

      I do too!! I believe that mashed potatoes can only be achieved by using a hand masher. Using a ricer or beaters is not mashed, it's whipped (which Adam eludes to, but still calls it mashed).

    • @jasonreed7522
      @jasonreed7522 2 роки тому +2

      I am team mash with a fork on your plate, for both regular mashed potatoes and salt potatoes.
      The classic pre made pot for Thanksgiving like he makes here is too smooth for me.

  • @WillemDafuq69
    @WillemDafuq69 6 місяців тому

    This is by far the best method. Effortless, minus the peeling and cutting potatoes. Left it at a simmer for 45 mins, didn't even pay attention to it, came back and they were perfectly cooked. Drain, butter, seasoning, smash. Easy.

  • @Covenant-R
    @Covenant-R 2 роки тому +3

    Please try to use freshly grated nutmeg as well, its a wonderful flavor for mash.
    Around here its very common to use a bit of fresh nutmeg and micro-plane a bit down into the mash just as its finished. Beyond the regular salt and pepper of course. And personally I also use a good bunch of parsley as well, both for color and taste, the leaks would fill a similar but slightly different function as far as taste goes.
    But freshly grated nutmeg is just a great addition to mash. Don't overdo it though.

    • @thenotsookayguy
      @thenotsookayguy 2 роки тому

      He hates nutmeg with mash.

    • @Blitzbogen
      @Blitzbogen 2 роки тому

      @@thenotsookayguy he missing out big here

    • @thenotsookayguy
      @thenotsookayguy 2 роки тому

      @@Blitzbogen Mhm

    • @Covenant-R
      @Covenant-R 2 роки тому

      @@thenotsookayguy As Adam says, You do You, or in this case, Adam does Adam, but depending on where someone lives, nutmeg might be really common, as it is here, or it might be really uncommon and they might not even think about using it.
      Luckily at least some viewers might read the comments and try it. But that's what's so great about the comments, so much things that you might try as well from various parts of the work. Don't like fine, but they might not have tried it before or knew, or they might try it and really like it.
      I usually use parsley, but never tried it with leeks or spring onions, but after this video, I'm definitely trying my next mash with it.

  • @AutisticRebbetzen
    @AutisticRebbetzen 2 роки тому +2

    Because of household dietary restrictions, I have to make my mashed potatoes with no dairy. I solve this with tempered egg yolks. Highly recommend!

  • @W01demar
    @W01demar 2 роки тому +1

    Hey, how about adding one or two raw eggs to the mashed potatoes (not only yolk and not in the end but during the process of mashing)?
    It is important to do this when the potatoes are already mashed and as soon as you break eggs and add them, very, very quickly start mixing so that the protein does not have time to curdle.
    Every time I tried it, it gave firstly a creamier texture, secondly, it gave a pleasant color and in my opinion, it influence the taste for the better. I do it every time.
    Try it, I'd like to know what you think about this and how you will like it if you never tried it before.

  • @carolinepeterson7995
    @carolinepeterson7995 11 місяців тому +2

    Adam, I would love to hear your take on boiling vs. baking vs. microwaving potatoes before mashing them. I tried baking the potatoes for my mash last year and I found that they were superior in taste to boiled (perhaps because no cooking loss?). However, they were inferior in texture. That might have been a result of some particular technique I used, but I'd be curious about the food science!

  • @palak22
    @palak22 2 роки тому +2

    I can't help but notice all the water wastage. In our house, we use it to water our plants rather than draining it down the sink.

  • @Stu8621
    @Stu8621 2 роки тому +1

    Hey Adam, just wanted to say, your method is an absolute banger!
    Just getting ready for a (1 day) early Canadian Thanksgiving dinner, and I'm serving these up. Super easy.
    Here's a slight variation that I've had to do, as my wife is lactose intolerant.
    Everything the same, except, instead of milk and butter, I've used walnut oil (~1.5 teaspoons) and Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie ~1.5 tablespoons) for a bit of extra umami. Turned out super.

  • @Bzyzx
    @Bzyzx 2 роки тому

    The last bit with the egg reminds me of the simple campfire potatoes; halve a russet, scoop a bit out, replace with egg, salt and butter, close, wrap in foil on a stick or stick like implement, put over fire until done.

  • @gunna2cool
    @gunna2cool 2 роки тому

    I'd planned on making mash for dinner tonight... Will start the potatoes earlier and give that first method a try... What fortuitous timing!

  • @Nolasilverfox
    @Nolasilverfox 2 роки тому

    Love the egg at the end. Reminds me of Eggslut from LA which was a big deal for awhile. They would put a coddled egg into mashed potatoes with toasted bread and herbs. Diners would mash it in together and have this amazing egg while potato mixture on toast. AMAZING and I think that’s what you are capturing here in the final step.

  • @Elidrys
    @Elidrys 2 роки тому

    HAH my favorite was when you said "butter, AS MUCH AS YOU CAN JUSTIFY TO YOURSELF," good phrasing

  • @Nikki0417
    @Nikki0417 2 роки тому

    "Because science" is a good go-to explanation for basically everything in the world. Also, topping mash potatoes with an egg is totally new to me.

  • @joedyhicks9415
    @joedyhicks9415 2 роки тому +1

    I have not heard of adding a raw egg to your mash before - going to have to try that.
    Thank you

  • @miyojewoltsnasonth2159
    @miyojewoltsnasonth2159 2 роки тому

    Personally, I make pretty good ultra-smooth mashed potatoes by simmering them for 20-25 minutes, draining them, then mashing in some salt, pepper, and a lot of butter. Once mashed, I push it through a fairly fine sieve. It takes some time, but it's great. I'll be trying Adam's for dinner tomorrow night to see if it's better than the "sieve technique" I've been using for 10 years.
    How do others make their best mashed potatoes?
    Oh, and I can't recommend Heston Blumenthal enough. I discovered him via basic cable in Holland that included BBC1 and BBC2. He's one of the most intellectually talented chefs I've ever seen.

  • @ratatoeskr-melodicdarkambi7741
    @ratatoeskr-melodicdarkambi7741 2 роки тому

    Just tried this (without the garlic and onion) and it is a great mashed potato! Thank you So much. It is time consuming but most of the time it can remain unattended so its just a matter of Organisation.

  • @hjewkes
    @hjewkes 2 роки тому +1

    I went to a potluck where someone added crushed potato chips into their mash. If you want heterogeneous texture that is a freaking delicious way to get it.

  • @CreativityCurve
    @CreativityCurve 2 роки тому +2

    As per an old Chef John recipe, I like to stir in an egg yolk beaten into a bit of milk into my mash. I'm not sure what exactly it accomplishes that the milk alone doesn't, but I've noticed the texture being a little lacking when I forget to include it. A little bit of cheese is great for flavor too.

    • @em-yz6rl
      @em-yz6rl 2 роки тому

      The lecithin in the egg yolk is an emulsifier, binding the water in the mash to the fat in the milk to make it creamy.

  • @Korvmannen
    @Korvmannen 2 роки тому

    I will test this! When I do mashed potatoes I usually boil until overcooked, then boil some more. I think the longer the cooking process the tastier the potatoes gets. There's some very interesting and rich, yet mild flavors that come out when potatoes are overcooked that's not at all comparable to only "cooked to good/edible texture".

  • @ChickenLegPotatoCorn
    @ChickenLegPotatoCorn 2 роки тому

    The thumbnail made me think you put an egg yolk on your mashed potatoes, then I watched the video and saw that you actually put an egg yolk on your mashed potatoes

  • @nikkicoyotie8431
    @nikkicoyotie8431 2 роки тому +7

    I prefer yukons for my mash too, but I tend to go 2-3 parts yukon to 1 part orange sweet potato. I find both items benefit from this, and it kicks up the nutrional value a bit

    • @Nyx773
      @Nyx773 2 роки тому +3

      That sounds wonderful. Thanks for the idea. I'll have to try it if I'm feeling more ambitious than nuking my potato.

  • @ch3xmix
    @ch3xmix 2 роки тому

    I really love the phrase "bossy garlic"

  • @concretecurse6594
    @concretecurse6594 Рік тому

    Thank you for this.

  • @Mr.Welbig
    @Mr.Welbig 2 роки тому +1

    I would use this method naturally since I believe Chef John recommends it for mash. Then I started seeing people just boil it hot so I started doing that. But ever since I would get these lumps of potato in the mash no matter how much I mashed. They were cooked lumps so they weren't that bad or anything I just preferred a smooth texture. Gonna have to go back to lower temp/longer time.

  • @singularity___
    @singularity___ 2 роки тому

    Man, I tried this method tonight when I made mashed potatoes topped with gravy and shredded chicken thigh (seasoned with tons of onion, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper) and it was next level. So good, the texture was everything I'd want from mashed potato.

  • @VS-oq6rz
    @VS-oq6rz 2 роки тому +1

    In middle school I got a food science kit for my parents. Included food dye. I put green food dye in our mashed potatoes before a big dinner with guests, and my mom was so disgusted she threw them out. The texture looks delicious in these, but the thumbnail reminded me of that story.

  • @timolaf2798
    @timolaf2798 2 роки тому

    I just tried this method -- supremely good turnout, great texture and taste. I will utilize this method from now on (unless something better comes along).

  • @jamesiyer4937
    @jamesiyer4937 2 роки тому +3

    Adding green onions makes this the mash potatoes of champ-ions.
    I'm sorry

  • @SILVERF0X13
    @SILVERF0X13 2 роки тому

    Oh neat, you do the same toss the garlic in with the potatoes before boiling trick I do. I love that it gets you the nice flavor without having to do any mincing.