Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

This recipe (Barefoot Contessa at Home) is further proof that I can’t follow a recipe for mashed potatoes.  I think maybe it’s a little like learning to drive or play a musical instrument:  one can’t follow written instructions alone to learn this craft.  It should be noted that I’ve made plenty of batches of perfectly decent mashed potatoes, but never from a recipe, whether with ricer, food processor, mixer, or by hand.  This batch turned out to be both soupy and lumpy at the same time – quite a feat, really.  They were still edible, though, and maybe I’ve just learned my lesson to stick to my instincts instead of following the written word when it comes to mashing spuds.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving traditions vary widely (oyster stuffing:  need I say more?), but pretty much everyone can identify with these two Thanksgiving staples:  Roast Turkey and Mashed Potatoes.  The turkey recipe (Barefoot Contessa Parties!, pp. 182-183) does not call for any fancy brining or basting, deep-frying or stuffing with other birds, but there are some aromatics (onions, garlic, lemon, thyme) stuffed in the body cavity.  I excluded the roasted vegetables under the turkey in the original recipe, simply because if we didn’t have mashed potatoes on the table, there may have been a revolt.  The mashed potatoes (Barefoot Contessa Family Style, p. 118) were, quite simply, divine.  But what wouldn’t be, with half-and-half, sour cream, and butter mixed in?

 

Now, if someone could just broker a Thanksgiving Peace Treaty between me and the dog who just dragged in what can only be skunk poop all over the carpet…  Happy Holidays, y’all!