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Perfect mash - ideas please!


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Old 23-07-2008, 20:53
shackfan
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I LOVE mash and I enjoy making it, but I'm always trying to get it better. I dont dice them too small, put a teatowel over them after to capture all the moisture out, crack an egg in, add butter, plenty of salt......but I KNOW it could be better.
Any ideas out there?
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Old 23-07-2008, 21:01
minimalistmatt
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I sometimes like to add a teaspoon of wholegrain mustard to mine when the butter goes in. It jazzes it up a bit ! (depends what you're having it with)
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Old 23-07-2008, 21:13
Hutchy_Muse
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For Mash get Smash




* Grabs coat*
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Old 23-07-2008, 21:14
smudges dad
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An interesting variation, if you've got a bay tree is to make bay mash.

Boil a little milk with a few bay leaves in it, then set to cool while you boil your tatties. You can even put a few bay leaves in the water with them.

When you come to mashing, use the cooled milk (after taking the bay leaves out) during the mashing (as well as salt, pepper and butter). It should produce a nice subtle flavour.

For ordinary mash, make sure you use the right type of tatties (I'm sure Delia has a chapter on it)
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Old 23-07-2008, 21:17
paulyoung666
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no one has mentioned a splodge of mayo , try it , apart from that , butter and a dash ( i did say dash , not gallons ) of milk , and my preference is too have it roughly mashed , not turned into baby food puree !!!!!
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Old 23-07-2008, 21:29
Rhino Horn
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i use a ricer to get super smooth mash
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Old 23-07-2008, 21:44
summerain
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I like it with butter and finely chopped spring onions.

I think you're supposed to use chives, but I can never find them anywhere
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Old 23-07-2008, 21:48
dan1979
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Grow your own chives, they're very easy and almost impossible to kill.
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Old 23-07-2008, 22:27
grassmarket
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Add a dollop of pesto, ground pepper and freshly grated parmesan.
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Old 23-07-2008, 23:08
Polly Doodle
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Rather than boiled potato, use jacket potatoes as both the flavour and texture are better. I recommend you use Maris Piper for these. When cooked, cut in half and scoop out the middle. Just add salt and freshly ground black pepper for seasoning, butter and a some warm milk. I use a ricer but it isn't absolutely necessary. I discovered this recipe by trial and error but I see that Heston Blumenthal does his mash the same way. (Only he suggests Yukon Gold potatoes are marginally better than Maris Piper. The variety of potato is important as different potatoes have different qualities).
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Old 23-07-2008, 23:17
fafita2786
 
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I read on here that a couple of people put peanut butter in their mash, so I gave it a go one day! It was fab! I wouldn't do it every time, but it made a nice change!
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Old 24-07-2008, 01:08
Dazzorifik
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My mash is perfect almost every time, using this simple method.

1. Drain the potatoes, and leave to drain for 2-3 minutes.
2. Once relatively dry, mash with a good quality masher for a couple of minutes.
3. Add about 75ml of warm milk, a knob of butter and season well. Mix with a wooden spoon.
4. Mash again for a minute or two.
5. Add another splash of warm milk if the consistency is too thick, and whisk for a few seconds.

The result is light, fluffy mash; perfect for dinner.

I only add an egg yolk if I am making shepherds pie or fish pie, to improve the consistency.
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Old 24-07-2008, 01:55
♣ Moya
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As mentioned above, mash is nice if the skins are left on some of the spuds.
Delicious with a bit of cabbage thrown into the mix.
Butter of course.
Try crème fraîche instead of or with milk.
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Old 24-07-2008, 05:24
Annie27
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add roasted Garlic to mash .....really tasty
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Old 24-07-2008, 07:27
I love Ellie
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i use a ricer to get super smooth mash
100% agree.

Buy a potato ricer. It'll be the best kitchen gadget you will ever buy.

Boil your potatoes.

Drain them.

Put them through the ricer.

Add white pepper (note it must be white; black spoils the look) and butter.

Give it another mash/beating with a fork.

Move some spud out of the way of the bottom of the pan. Add some milk to that bit you've cleared.

Put the pan back onto the cooling stove ring, so that the milk quickly heats up.

Once it's bubbling, beat it into the mash.

Add a splash of chilli oil.

Beat again until you reach the consistency you want.

Serve.
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Old 24-07-2008, 08:01
smudges dad
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When you put an egg or egg yolk into the mash, do the potatoes have to be cold to stop the egg cooking?
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Old 24-07-2008, 08:36
Taboo
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When you put an egg or egg yolk into the mash, do the potatoes have to be cold to stop the egg cooking?
The potatoes have to be piping hot.
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Old 24-07-2008, 08:38
Madridista23
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I like it with butter and finely chopped spring onions.
I think you're supposed to use chives, but I can never find them anywhere
Champ!! or at least that's what i believe it called!!

My variation for mash instead of using milk and butter is to squeeze a tube of Primula Cheese Spread with Chives into it and give that a good mashing.
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Old 24-07-2008, 08:54
PamelaL
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Use cream instead of milk.
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Old 24-07-2008, 09:09
indianwells
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Grill a couple of rashers of streaky bacon until crisp, leave to cool and crumble into the mash.
Another thing I do is stir some grated cheddar into the mash, top with parmesan breadcrumbs and some more cheddar and then pop into a hot oven until the top is golden and bubbling!
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Old 24-07-2008, 09:11
minimalistmatt
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Grill a couple of rashers of streaky bacon until crisp, leave to cool and crumble into the mash.
Another thing I do is stir some grated cheddar into the mash, top with parmesan breadcrumbs and some more cheddar and then pop into a hot oven until the top is golden and bubbling!


Some of these recipes are making my heart do somersaults ... how about blending in half a pound a goose fat to top it off !

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Old 24-07-2008, 09:18
PamelaL
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Some of these recipes are making my heart do somersaults ... how about blending in half a pound a goose fat to top it off

Ah you only live once, make the most of it.
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Old 24-07-2008, 09:18
indianwells
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Some of these recipes are making my heart do somersaults ... how about blending in half a pound a goose fat to top it off

You're right, not the healthiest of dishes but great with a beef casserole or sausages with onion & Madeira gravy as a treat!
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Old 24-07-2008, 10:10
smudges dad
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It's healthier than suet dumplings though!
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Old 24-07-2008, 13:05
vidalia
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Waitrose do butter with roasted garlic in it that is just divine when added to mash.
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