Smoked Gouda & Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These delectable mashed potatoes not only have a subtle garlic taste but also a light smoky flavor with each and every bite.
Ingredients
Smoked Gouda and Garlic Mashed Potatoes:
- 7 medium size Russet potatoes washed thoroughly, skin-on, cut off bruises or imperfections
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (for boiling the potatoes)
- 4 large cloves garlic peeled and coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened (for the mashed potatoes)
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 cup thinly shredded smoked Gouda cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste) (for the mashed potatoes)
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 to 3 dashes of coarse pepper or a few turns of cracked pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (Italian or curly parsley)
Instructions
Preparation - Garlic and Potatoes:
- Garlic - Chop the garlic and set it aside.
- Potatoes - Wash the potatoes thoroughly and cut off any bruises or imperfections.This recipe calls for 7 medium-size Russet potatoes. But if some of the potatoes are smaller than others, cut the larger ones in half (so that they're all about the same size, and cook at the same rate).
Add Potatoes and Garlic to the Pot:
- To a large pot, add cold water, salt, garlic, and the potatoes.The potatoes cook more evenly when added to cold water (if added to boiling water, the outside of the potato cooks faster than the inside).
Cook the Potatoes:
- Heat the pot on medium heat and bring the water to a boil.
- Cook the potatoes until a cooking fork or paring knife can easily pierce the potatoes. Be careful not to overcook the potatoes or they’ll be mushy and fall apart.
Preparation - Milk, Butter, Seasonings and Cheese:
- While the potatoes are cooking - In a large mixing bowl add milk, butter, salt and pepper. Set aside.Thinly shred the cheese and set it aside.
Drain the Cooked Potatoes:
- When the potatoes are done cooking, very carefully drain the potatoes* (be careful not to splash the hot water).* A strainer skimmer (wire strainer ladle, strainer scoop), or large slotted spoon can be used to carefully transfer the cooked potatoes to a colander that's placed on a large plate.The pieces of garlic should also end up in the colander with the potatoes.
- As soon as possible while the potatoes are hot, carefully transfer them (and the garlic) into the mixing bowl with the milk, butter and seasonings.
Mash the Potatoes:
- With an electric mixer or potato masher, whip or mash the potatoes. If the mashed potatoes are too thick, stir in a bit more milk.
Add Shredded Smoked Gouda Cheese:
- To the mashed potatoes, add shredded smoked Gouda cheese and gently stir together.
- Do a taste test and add more salt if needed.Salt can really bring out the flavor in mashed potatoes so make to add enough.
- The mashed potatoes should be hot enough to melt the cheese......If not, put them in a microwavable bowl and warm them in the microwave at very short intervals (so not to overheat them) until the cheese is melted.
Garnish and Serve:
- Top the mashed potatoes with butter, and garnish with coarse or cracked pepper, and chopped parsley. Serve right away while the mashed potatoes are warm.
Notes
TIPS:
Amount and Size of the Potatoes:
- This recipe calls for 7 medium-size Russet potatoes. But if some of the potatoes are smaller than others, cut the larger ones in half (so that they're all about the same size, and cook at the same rate).
Cooking the Potatoes:
- The potatoes cook more evenly when added to cold water (if added to boiling water, the outside of the potato cooks faster than the inside).
- Be careful not to overcook the potatoes or they’ll be mushy and fall apart.
Mashing the Potatoes:
- If the mashed potatoes are too thick, stir in just a little bit of milk at a time and until they reach the desired consistency.
- The mashed potatoes should be hot enough to melt the smoked Gouda cheese when it's mixed in. If not, put the mashed potatoes in a microwavable bowl and warm them in the microwave at very short intervals (so not to overheat them) until the cheese melts.
Salt:
- Do a taste test on these mashed potatoes and add more salt if needed. Salt can really bring out the flavor in mashed potatoes so make to add enough.