# Mashed potatoes recipe for the first-timer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 19, 2006, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mashed-potatoes-recipe-for-the-first-timer/381008 "2006-11-19T05:19:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2006, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mashed-potatoes-recipe-for-the-first-timer/381008/21 "2006-11-20T14:46:11Z")
I’ll rarely make my mashed spuds the same way twice. I’ll usually peel, but well-scrubbed reds can have the peel remain for a more rustic mash. When making potatoes without milk, I’ll reserve about a cup of the boiling water for thinning, if necessary. When adding milk, buttermilk, or sour cream, add a little, mash, check consistency, add more. When cooking for 4, I eyeball about a cup of liquid to start, then add in 1-2 tbsp increments as needed. Some combinations (assume butter, about 2 tbsp per serving, as an ingredient): - Basic: Russets or Yukon Gold with whole milk or buttermilk (warmed, with smashed garlic) - Jalapeno / Cheddar I: Yukon Gold, roasted garlic, sharp yellow cheddar (grated), finely diced jalapenos (red, if you can get them) - Jalapeno / Cheddar II: Unpeeled Red Potatoes boiled with smashed garlic, canned chilies in adobo sauce, white cheddar (grated) [can substitute Monterey Jack]. - Sour Cream and Chives: Russets boiled with smashed garlic, sour cream, chopped chives: reserve chives to sprinkle on the top when serving Any recipe can use roasted instead of smashed garlic. If I have any leftover from other dishes, I’ll insert a sprig of rosemary into the potatoes. Parsley can be added to any recipe. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mashed-potatoes-recipe-for-the-first-timer/381008.md?page=1)