Perfect Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Christmas lunch

Perfect Creamy Mashed Potatoes - made December 25, 2019 from Modern Honey

Do you know the advice they give about not trying out new recipes before serving it to company? I usually (though not always) follow that advice when it comes to baked goods because who wants to serve or give away something that doesn't turn out? Especially when you don't have a backup?

Mac and Cheese Bites with Bacon (Costco)

My mom's lumpia

I didn't think that would apply to mashed potatoes. It's mashed potatoes. What could go wrong? (insert foreboding cue and shiver of premonition). I tried following the recipe as is, including the amount of potatoes. Christmas was at my house this year and there would be 9 of us for a friendsmas. I went to Costco for a bag of Yukon Gold potatoes. The recipe called for 3 pounds of potatoes. The Costco bag held way more than 3 pounds so I boiled 5 pounds, thinking if that was too much potato for the liquids, I'd just add more cream and melted butter.

Lechon (Roast Pork) - ordered from a local Filipino restaurant

Everything was going fine, I was on schedule for the lunch, everything was all prepped. I decided to make the mashed potatoes a little bit early, figuring I could warm it up slightly when the guests arrived. Only to discover after I add the melted butter and half & half, that my potatoes, which looked like a lot already, suddenly looked soupy more than creamy. Ack. I rushed to boil another 5 potatoes. I don't know how much they weighed, I didn't have that much presence of mind to weigh them. I just needed more of them to add to my mixture.

Sweet Potato Cornbread (left) and crescent rolls (right)

Pancit Palabok (Filipino noodle dish) ordered from a local caterer

Fortunately it was enough and these did turn out nice and creamy. But instead of the "3" lbs called for in the recipe, I probably used at least 6. YMMV. Oh and there's only one picture of the mashed potatoes because I forgot to take more, just the ones of the whole spread. So I'm including those for your viewing.

Ham from Costco

3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into even-size chunks (I used double that)
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups half-and-half, whole milk or heavy cream
1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
2 teaspoons salt or more to taste

1. Place potato chunks in a large pot and cover with water. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil. Once potatoes reach a boil, lower the heat and cover. Cook for 25-35 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain.
2. In a small saucepan, heat the butter and half and half (or whole milk or cream) until the butter is melted and warm. Whisk to combine.
3. Place the potatoes in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix for 30 seconds. Slowly add the butter and cream mixture, mixing at the lowest speed. Fold in sour cream and salt. Taste and season as needed.