Mashed Potatoes

So, it's your night to make supper. You really need a side dish in order for the meal to be complete but which one? There are so many options out there.

May I suggest mashed potatoes they are a classic recipe that is simple and easy to make.

The finished project

What you will need

Pot

Potatoes (1 and 1/2 medium size potato per person if extremely large, just do 1 per person)

Potato peeler

Knife

Cutting Board

Electric hand mixer or potato masher

Colander or pot lid

Water

Bowl of cold water

A few sprinkles of salt

8oz regular cream cheese

1/2 stick of butter

Directions

#1- Get all of the necessary supplies out and ready to be used.

Getting the right amount of potatoes.

#2- Now wash your hands.

#3- Then you will need to scrub your potatoes (If extremely dirty use a scrub brush)

#4.- Now you will need to peel the potatoes. You accomplish this by taking the potato peeler in one hand and the potato in the other. Putting the blade of the potato peeler along the skin of the potato apply a slight pressure and move the peeler away from you. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way. Even though it is not a knife it can still cut.

#5-When done peeling each potato, place it in the cold water.

#6- When done peeling all the potatoes place the peels in the trash, or whatever you do with that stuff.

#7- Grab the knife and cutting board to start cutting the potatoes. You will want them in smaller cubes since they cook faster.

Your cut potatoes should look something like this.

#8- Place the cut potatoes in your pot and put in enough water to cover them, adding a few sprinkles of salt to protect the color.

The potatoes in the pot with water.

#9- Then place the pot on the stove burner. If you would like the potatoes to boil, faster put the temperature on high. If you are not in that great of a hurry, you can place the temperature on low.

#10- You will know that they are ready for testing when the water starts forming white foam. Your water may also boil over. You will need to watch them and stir it to get the water back down if this happens.

Starting to foam.

#11- Once it starts to foam you can start checking to see if the potatoes are done. Take a fork and try poking a potato. If the potato is hard that means they aren't ready yet. If it is easily pokable and breaks that means they are ready.

Checking the potatoes

#12-Strain the potatoes. You can use a colander to do this or place the lid on the pot and while holding both the lid and tipping it, so the water goes out (its fine if a little water is left you just don't want too much). you will probably need hot pads for the second option.

#13-Now it is time to add some other ingredients. Add in the cream cheese and butter.

#14-Using a potato masher or electric mixer start beating the potatoes, cream cheese, and butter. (I would highly recommend using the electric mixer since it makes it easier to have smooth and creamy mashed potatoes)

Mixing the potatoes

Congratulations! You have made mashed potatoes!

#15-Serve warm with your favorite mashed potato topping.

#16-Now clean up all your tools. So that means wash the dishes, and sweep the floor or vacuum if necessary.