WHAT POTATOES ARE BEST FOR MASHED RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large pot, cover potatoes with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until totally soft, 16 to 18 minutes. Drain and return potatoes to pot. Use a potato masher to mash potatoes until smooth. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter with milk until warm. Pour over warm milk-butter mixture and stir until completely combined and creamy. Add sour cream and stir until combined. Season mashed potatoes generously with salt and pepper. Transfer potatoes to a serving bowl and top with remaining two tablespoons butter. Season with more pepper before serving.

Steps:

• Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces that are generally the same size. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes. (When they're cooked through a fork should easily slide into the potatoes with no resistance, and the potatoes should almost, but not totally, fall apart.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Drain the potatoes thoroughly in a large colander. Place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape before adding in all the other ingredients.
• Turn off the heat and add the butter, cream cheese and about 1/2 cup of half-and-half. Mash, mash, mash! Next, add about 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir well, and then taste and add more half-and-half, seasoning salt and pepper if needed.
• Transfer the potatoes to a medium-sized baking dish. Throw a few pats of butter over the top of the potatoes and place in the oven until the butter is melted and the potatoes are warmed through.