Tracys Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipes

CREAMY MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F and adjust an oven rack to the middle position.
• Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack (alternatively, you can place them on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet). Bake until very soft, 50 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. (Err on the side of overcooking rather than undercooking them.)
• Remove the potatoes from the oven. While they are still hot, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Using an oven mitt or a folded kitchen towel to hold the hot potatoes, scoop out all of the flesh from each potato half into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (*see note below on using a potato ricer, food mill or hand-held electric mixer). The flesh near the skin gets a little tough, so be sure to leave it behind. Break the cooked potato flesh down into small pieces using a potato masher, fork, or rubber spatula. Beat on low speed until completely smooth and no lumps remain, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. (Note: it's important to mash the potatoes while they are still hot, otherwise you'll end up with lumps.)
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream and 6 tablespoons of the butter to a simmer.
• Remove the bowl from the mixer stand and, using a large rubber spatula, gradually fold in the hot cream and butter mixture. It will take a few minutes to mix it all in; keep folding until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Stir in the salt, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a large microwave-safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap (the bowl should be large enough that the potatoes don't touch the plastic wrap). Refrigerate for up to 2 days. (DO NOT FREEZE)
• To reheat, use the tip of a knife to poke about 10 holes in the plastic wrap, and microwave at medium-high (75 percent) power until the potatoes are hot, about 14 minutes, stirring halfway through the reheating time. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving dish, top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, and sprinkle with the chives. Serve hot.
• Notes: For perfectly smooth potatoes, pass the potato flesh through a potato ricer or food mill before adding them to the mixer. If you don't have a stand mixer, you can use a hand-held electric mixer. If you don't have an electric mixer, pass the potatoes through a food mill or potato ricer and then whip by hand with a wooden spoon.

MAKE AHEAD MASHED POTATOES (RESTAURANT TRICK)

Steps:

• Peel and cut the potatoes into large chunks.
• Bring a pot of water to the boil, then add the potatoes. Cook for 20 minutes until soft and starting to fall apart.
• Drain then tip back into the pot placed over the stove (turned off). Allow to steam dry for a few minutes.
• Mash to your taste. Do NOT use a hand held mixer, blender or food processor - it will activate the starches in the potatoes and make it gluey.
• To make ahead, transfer to a bowl and cover with cling wrap, pressing onto the potato to remove as much air as possible. Refrigerate up to 2 days until required.
• On the day of, place the cream and butter in a pot and bring to a boil. Turn the stove off but leave the pot on the stove. Add the potatoes and stir into the cream.
• If you want to make your potatoes creamier, push them to the side, add more cream/milk, turn the stove on, bring to a simmer then stir.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve warm, garnished with chopped chives, a drizzle of olive oil and pepper.

MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Lightly scrub the potatoes. Put them in a large stockpot, fill with cold water to cover by about 2 inches and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a strong simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender in the center, 50 to 55 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes in a colander in the sink. Let cool enough so that you can handle them, about 10 minutes. It is important that the potatoes do not cool too much because they will mash more easily when hot.
• Meanwhile, add the butter to the same pot that you used to cook the potatoes (no need to clean it). Melt completely over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Heat 3/4 cup of the cream in a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl until steaming and set aside.
• Holding the potatoes in a clean kitchen towel, gently peel the skins off with a paring knife. Quarter the potatoes and put them in the pot along with 2 1/2 teaspoons salt. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until smooth and fluffy (see Cook's Note).
• Add the cream and stir until combined. Season with pepper and additional salt if needed. Allow to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 3 months.
• To reheat refrigerated mashed potatoes: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spoon the mashed potatoes into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Drizzle with the remaining 1/2 cup cream. Stir until combined, making sure there are no pools of cream at bottom of the baking dish.
• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and gently stir the mashed potatoes. Cover again and continue to bake until the potatoes are hot and steamy, 20 to 25 minutes more. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• To reheat frozen mashed potatoes: Thaw the potatoes completely in the refrigerator and cook according to the same directions as refrigerated potatoes but do not add cream. The potatoes might seem watery at first but will thicken as they heat up.
• Transfer the hot mashed potatoes to a large bowl for serving.

TRACY'S MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in large saucepan of boiling water 10 to 15 min. or until tender; drain. Place potatoes in large bowl. Add sour cream, reduced-fat cream cheese and onion powder; mash until creamy.
• Spoon into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate up to 2 days. Remove from refrigerator 30 min. before baking.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Bake potatoes 1 hour or until heated through. Sprinkle with bacon and onions.

MAKE AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until tender, 15-20 minutes. Drain. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add potatoes; beat until light and fluffy. Beat in butter, seasonings and, if desired, chives. Transfer to a greased 2-1/2-qt. microwave-safe dish. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before heating. Microwave, uncovered, on high 10 minutes, stirring once. Stir in milk. Microwave until heated through, about 5 minutes.

MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Place potatoes in a large pot of lightly salted water. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, and mash.
• In a large bowl, mix mashed potatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, onion salt, and pepper. Transfer to a large casserole dish.
• Cover, and bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven.

CLASSIC MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a Dutch oven and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain., In a large bowl, mash potatoes with cream cheese. Combine the egg whites, sour cream, onion powder, salt and pepper; stir into potatoes until blended. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Drizzle with butter. Cover and refrigerate overnight., Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Cover and bake 50 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 160°.