Trisha Yearwoods Perfect Mashed Potatoes Recipes

LOADED GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Spread the bacon over the cooling rack so that none of the slices are touching. Slice the top off the head of garlic so the cloves are exposed. Drizzle the exposed cloves with the olive oil and sprinkle with some salt and pepper, then wrap in aluminum foil to create a packet. Roast both until the bacon is crispy and the garlic is soft, about 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Put the potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.
• Drain the water from the pot and transfer the potatoes to a stand mixer. Add the cream, butter, sour cream, 6 cloves of the roasted garlic and 1 3/4 cups of the Cheddar to the mixer and whip until combined and smooth. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
• Transfer the potatoes to a serving dish and top with the remaining Cheddar. Crumble the bacon over the top and sprinkle with the scallions. Serve immediately.

MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepot, combine the potatoes, garlic and 1 tablespoon salt. Add cold water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are easily pierced with a knife, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Strain the potatoes and garlic and then rice them back into the pot. Add the milk, chicken stock, white pepper and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Place the pot over low heat and stir until the mixture comes together and is heated through. Remove from the heat and mix in the butter until melted in.
• Serve immediately or wrap in foil and hold in a low oven.

SMASHED RED-SKINNED POTATOES WITH HERB OIL

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with 2 inches of water; stir in 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat slightly and simmer until tender, about 12 minutes.
• While the potatoes are cooking, combine the parsley, olive oil, chives, oregano, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a blender and puree until almost smooth. If it needs more liquid, add a little water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture blends easily.
• Drain the potatoes and return to the pot. Pour in the warm milk and melted butter and coarsely mash with a potato masher. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving bowl and top with the herb oil.

CHEESY HASSELBACK POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil.
• In a small saucepot, bring the butter, oil and garlic to a boil over high heat; remove from the heat.
• Using 2 wooden spoons placed on each side of a potato as a guide, cut the potato into thin slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, without cutting through the bottom (the spoons will keep you from cutting all the way through the potato). Repeat with the remaining potatoes. Place the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and brush each potato with some of the butter mixture, trying to get the butter between the slices. Sprinkle each potato with salt and pepper.
• Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the potatoes from the oven. The potatoes will have started to spread out from cooking and it will be easier to brush each slice with some more of the butter mixture. Put the potatoes back in the oven for an additional 20 minutes.
• Remove the potatoes from the oven again and sprinkle the Parmesan over the top and into the slices. Return to the oven to melt and brown the cheese, an additional 5 minutes. Serve the potatoes immediately.