Recipe(tried): Mashed Potatoes for Lori

Hi Lori:-) I don't know if these are "Perfect Mashed Potatoes," but my family says that I make "the best mashed potatoes:-)!" Here is how I make them:

For our family of 4 (and we usually have leftovers), I use:

4 large baking potatoes, Idaho or Russet, peeled, cut down the center, then cut crosswise into thirds so that each potato is now cut into 6 pieces
Cold water to cover potatoes in pot
4 Tbl. of butter, or 1 Tbl. per potato
About 1/2 c. milk
Salt and Pepper to taste
Paprika for "pretty:-)"

Cover potatoes and water in pan with a lid, and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove the lid, lower heat and cook potatoes, uncovered, for 10 1/2 to 11 minutes. When potatoes are cooked, lower the heat on the stove burner to low heat. Drain the potatoes well. If you drained them in a colander, return them to the pan. (I just hold the lid partially on the pan and drain them by turning the pot upside down, over the sink, and letting the water run out.) If you do it the way I do it, just return the pan to the stove and over low heat shake the pan until the potatoes are dry and all of the water has evaporated. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper and add the butter cut up in smaller chunks. When the butter has pretty much melted, add the milk and let it warm some. Some people heat the milk separately, then add it to the potatoes. The main thing is to not let the potatoes get cold or you will have gummy mashed potatoes. My family likes mashed potatoes on the dry side so you may want to use a little more milk if they seem too dry when you are mashing them. I use an electric hand mixer so that the potatoes are completely smooth but if you like chunky mashed potatoes, use an old fashioned hand potato masher. Check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper, if necessary. I place them in a bowl and make 5 indentations (in a star pattern) with the back a spoon. I add a little butter in each indentation and sprinkle, lightly with paprika (for "pretty:-)"). I then place them in a 250 degree oven to stay warm until the rest of dinner is ready to be served. Someone posted a recipe or idea of putting them in a crockpot to stay hot. I may try that this year since oven space can be limited at Thanksgiving.

I hope that this helps you with your mashed potatoes. I think that Gladys' recipe for Giblet gravy sounds perfect so I am not posting a gravy recipe. I only added the mashed potato recipe in case you wanted plain mashed potatoes. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!