Who Whips/Whipped the Potatoes in Your House? Memories Of Dad!

Is there anything better or more comforting than a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes? Potatoes have gotten a bum rap through the years, mainly because they are supposedly too fattening for most dieters and health food eaters, and even eliminated from some of the more popular diets these days. Well, of course they are if you eat one the size of Texas and load it up with so many toppings the potato is lost underneath. I am a firm believer that everything in moderation works with potatoes and me.

Today when I was whipping my potatoes with something I treasure of my fathers, his potato masher, I got to thinking of some great times. The main one being my mother calling to my father, "Raymond it's time to whip the potatoes" and whip he did!! Then I got to wondering if anyone even whips their potatoes by hand anymore? In today's world everything is done with some kind of gadget, be it a ricer, a food processor or a hand mixer, instapot, air fryer and on and on. The lowly little masher has been shoved aside.

Mashed potatoes have also gotten glamorous through the years. I admit, I have even tweaked them at times. The old potato, salt and pepper, butter and milk combo are still my favorite when I want comfort food, however.

Here are a few of the additions I have worked with through the years:

Bacon bits

Shredded cheese

Chopped marinated artichokes

Sour cream or yogurt

Finely mashed cauliflower

And herbs and spices galore

Here are a few of the other ways I use my mashed potato:

Fried potato patty topped with a poached or fried egg

Topping for shepherd's pie

Topping for chix pot pie

Add a little to meat loafs

Twice baked potatoes

The next time you are at the market, grab a couple or a bag, I just bet you have your own ideas too. If they conjure up a memory from your past even better.

Happy cooking, Stay Safe.