Garlic mashed potatoes are a great tasting variation of mashed potatoes. If you'd like to learn how to make garlic mashed potatoes, read on! When you need potatoes with a little something extra, think garlic mashed potatoes. The garlic flavor is mellowed by simmering the cloves in cream, creating a subtley flavored side dish that goes well with both meat and poultry.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
This video recipe for garlic mashed potatoes includes potatoes, cream or milk, butter, fresh grated parmesan cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. The method on the video is a bit different that that used below-- he melts the butter first, and combines the melted butter with the garlic and cream. Do not use the proportions given on the video, however-- he uses twice as much cream as you need.
Step 1: What You Need for Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- 5 pounds potatoes
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 8 cloves garlic, pressed
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step 2: How to Make Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Peel and chop potatoes into 1-2" chunks
- Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook until potatoes are tender when pierced by a fork, about 20 minutes.
- Heat the half-and-half with the garlic in a saucepan over low heat. Do not boil.
- Remove the potatoes from the heat and drain off the water.
- Add the butter and garlic cream to the pot and mash with a whisk, potato masher, or an electric mixer.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Garlic Mashed Potato Variations
- Roast the garlic first, if you like. Make sure you roast it at a low temperature, so it caramelizes instead of burning. Burned garlic has a bitter taste.
- Use red new potatoes, and leave the skins on instead of peeling them.
- Add 3/4 cup of parmesan cheese immediately before serving.
- Substitute heavy cream for the half and half, if you'd like a richer flavor.
- Add a few tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs that complement the rest of the meal. Chives, rosemary, thyme, sage, and tarragon all work well.
- Garlic mashed potatoes can be made ahead of time and kept warm in the top of a double boiler, or in a crockpot.
