The Pioneer Woman's Secret To The Creamiest Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes
Ree Drummond, also known as The Pioneer Woman, shares a simple method to ease the stress of making mashed potatoes and create the perfect Thanksgiving side dish.
Thanksgiving is approaching, and many home cooks begin planning their big meals. While cooking the turkey often feels most challenging, preparing the sides can also be overwhelming.
The Simple Approach to Creamy Mashed Potatoes
On her site, The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond reveals her secret for creamy mashed potatoes: keep the process straightforward and avoid complicated gadgets. Her recipe relies heavily on dairy without any elaborate techniques.
"The good ol' fashion way, baby! I like using a potato masher," Drummond says. "The thing about mashed potatoes is that you don't want to overmash them (yes, that is possible!)."
Why Avoid High-Tech Appliances?
Drummond explains that using blenders or electric mixers for mashed potatoes can cause problems. The science behind it is that overworking potatoes releases too much starch, resulting in a gummy texture.
"When you overwork potatoes, they release too much starch and start getting gummy," she clarifies.
Though blenders and mixers are great kitchen tools, they were not designed for mashed potatoes.
The Recommended Technique
Drummond advises using the right tool for the job: a potato masher. This approach, combined with some elbow grease, reduces the risk of overworking the potatoes.
"By using a potato masher and some elbow grease, you're less likely to overdo it than if you were to whip them with an electric mixer," she says. "Never, ever put the potatoes in a blender or food processor."
Summary: Ree Drummond’s low-tech, simple approach to mashed potatoes ensures a creamy, perfect Thanksgiving side without risking gummy texture from overmixing.