Buttery Mashed Potatoes
Feels smoother than velvet in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes peeled, cut into 2” pieces
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt plus more
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 3 sprigs thyme optional
- 2 bay leaves
- ¾ cup 1½ sticks unsalted butter, plus more for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
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Place potatoes in a big pot and pour cold water over them until they're covered by 1”. Add salt and bring the pot to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 20-25 minutes. The potatoes should be very tender but not saturated or crumbly (boiling will lead to waterlogged pieces).
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Drain the spuds, setting aside ½ cup cooking liquid if you're making the potatoes ahead. Return the potatoes to their pot and set over low heat. Gently stir until dry, about 1 minute.
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Meanwhile, heat milk, thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and ¾ cup butter in a small saucepan on medium heat until the butter is melted. Take it off the heat.
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Pass the hot potatoes through a ricer into a large bowl (it's important to do this while they're hot; if allowed to cool, the potatoes will become gummy).
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Remove the herbs from the warm milk mixture; discard. Gradually add the milk mixture to the potatoes, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until combined and smooth, then season with salt and pepper.
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Serve the mashed potatoes with a few pats of butter on top.
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Enjoy! 😀