plain jane cooking - recipes for the novice:

instant mashed potatoes made special

Instant mashed potatoes, the bain of many a chef the bain of many a home cook too if my emails are anything to go by.

So what can be done to tart them up? what can be done to make them better and more tasty? Try these ideas, make potato as per instructions and then (per 500gm of potato):

• add 50gm of butter and enough cream to make as loose as preferred
• add 50gm of butter and enough whipped cream to make as loose as preferred
• add 50gm of butter and enough sour cream to make as loose as preferred
• add 50gm of butter and enough mascarpone to make as loose as preferred
• add 50gm of butter and 50gm of cottage cheese
• add 50gm of butter and 50gm of grated cheese of choice
• add 50gm of butter and 50gm of blue cheese of choice, stilton etc

To any of the above can then be added (singularly or combined to taste), no amounts given as it must be to your own tastes, just add a little at a time, taste and then add more as required:

• chopped spring onions
• chopped capsicums (bell peppers)
• chopped parsley, coriander or basil
• chopped dill (if using for fish dishes)
• chopped garlic
• chopped roasted garlic
• pre-made curry paste such as thai green, tandoori, etc
• pesto
• chopped olives or olive paste (tapenade)
• chopped chillies
• chopped ham
• chopped bacon (previously cooked)
• chopped salami

chef notes:

Only after all additions have been made, should you add seasoning,
as some ingredients will add salt etc naturally.

A little freshly grated nutmeg goes very well with mashed potato.

email chef@tallyrand.info