Mashed Potatoes (milk And Butter Added)

Introduction

Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food. They are simple yet at the same time complex in the way that they come together. Depending on how they’re made, they can be creamy and fluffy, light and airy, or rich and dense; it all comes down to the way the ingredients are combined. Before the potatoes reach someone’s dinner plate, though, they must go through a process of cultivation, harvesting, preparation, cooking, and packaging before arriving at their destination. In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the journey of mashed potatoes from farm to plate.

Cultivation and Harvesting

The first step in the journey of mashed potatoes is getting the potatoes ready for harvesting. Potatoes are typically planted in late March or early April when the soil has had time to warm up and there’s plenty of sunshine. Potatoes need plenty of sunlight and water, as well as loose, moisture-retaining soil. If you’ve ever heard of the idiom “spuds up”, this is why - many farmers cover their potatoes with a layer of soil or mulch to protect them from the sun and keep them hydrated.

When the potatoes are ripe - typically late August to mid-October - they’re harvested. This is done using a mechanical digger, which is similar to a tractor, that digs down into the soil and picks up the plants with the potatoes attached. The potatoes are then shaken off of the roots and pushed into a collection bin. From there, the potatoes are then ready for the next stage: preparation.

Preparation

During the preparation stage, the potatoes are washed and then peeled and cut. Washing is an important step to ensure the potatoes are clean and bacteria-free before they’re cooked. Then, they’re either peeled by hand or with a machine, and cut into small cubes.

The type of potato typically used to make mashed potatoes is the Russet, which is a starchy potato. Other types of potatoes can be used, such as Yukon Gold, red, and new potatoes; these are usually boiled whole or cut into large chunks and boiled for a short amount of time before mashing.

Cooking

Once the potatoes are washed, peeled, and cut, it’s time to cook them. The most common way to make mashed potatoes is to boil them. To do this, the potatoes are placed in a pot of cold water and brought to a boil. Depending on the size of the cubes and the desired finish, the potatoes are boiled for a few minutes to an hour.

Then comes the mashing. Potatoes can be mashed by hand using a fork or potato masher, or with a stand mixer or food processor. During the mashing process, butter and milk (or cream, or buttermilk) are added to give the mashed potatoes their signature creamy consistency. Salt and pepper may also be added to taste.

Packaging

Once the mashed potatoes are ready to go, they can be sold in one of a few ways. The most common way is in a frozen package. To do this, the mashed potatoes are first cooled down in an ice bath or blast chiller before being transferred to a vacuum sealed package. The package is then rapidly frozen, trapping all of the air inside so the potatoes remain fresh.

For restaurants and catering, mashed potatoes are usually sold in sealed tubs or bags. They’re prepared and packed in much the same way as the frozen packages, except the mashed potatoes aren’t frozen solid. The tubs or bags may be frozen once they’re filled, but usually just placed in the refrigerator until needed.

Serving

Once the mashed potatoes arrive at wherever they’re going, whether it’s a grocery store or restaurant, the next step is to prepare and serve them. For frozen packages, they’re usually thawed and reheated in either a microwave or oven, and then served.

For mashed potatoes served in restaurants and catering, they’re typically kept heated in a warmer until they’re ready to serve. The mashed potatoes are then scooped onto the plate, sometimes with a chunky gravy or a dollop of butter, and then served.

Conclusion

Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food. From the farm all the way to someone’s dinner plate, potatoes go through a journey of cultivation, harvesting, preparation, cooking, and packaging before being served. Also, depending on the type of mashed potatoes, additional ingredients like butter, milk, and salt and pepper are usually added to give them their signature creamy and flavorful taste. All in all, mashed potatoes are a tasty and versatile dish that can be enjoyed anytime.