I know this sounds extremely ignorant but how long do you cook potatoes before you mash them?

Question

Do you use cold water or put them straight into boiling water?

Answer 1

Cook them until tender, cut them up and cover them and they will cook faster

Answer 2

Put them into cold water, otherwise you will be wasting time and money on lost cooking time. Buy the right sort of potatoes, (maris piper) are good for mashing. Don't cut the potatoes into small pieces before boiling, they soak up more water that way. (loss of taste). Cut them in half, if they are fairly large. If you want to be a perfectionist, boil them with their skins on, and peel the skin off when cooked. This method prevents the water boiling flavour away. The potatoes are done when you can split them easily with a fork. Mash thoroughly, no lumps, with butter, milk, and/or cream and salt in what ever proportions you want. If the potatoes have become too cool prior to serving, a short spell in the microwave should fix it. You can garnish with dill if you want.

Answer 3

Peel and wash potatoes. Cut them up and put them into a pot. Add cold water to cover all the potatoes and a touch of salt if desired. Put pot on stove and turn on to high.When they start to boil, you can turn it down a bit so they won't boil over. Keep them boiling and check them after about 20 minutes by stickng a fork into a potato. If the fork breaks up the potato or the fork inserts easily into the potato, then they are done. If not, then continue cooking until this happens. Drain water and add a little butter and milk while mashing to make nice creamy mashed potatoes. Enjoy!!!

Answer 4

First prepare the Potatoes ,cutting them into small chunks.then boil or steam for about 15/20Min's Test the potatoes with a fork to check that they are cooked.
Next turn the heat down too the second level on your hob ,Drain the potatoes add a little milk and butter ,some finely chopped parsley and mash ,then put them back on the hob for 3/4 Min's ,Then serve up and enjoy.
And no you are not ignorant ,everybody needs find out
about these things if they have never been shown or told how to do this.

Answer 5

Cut them into half or quarters after peeling, depending on the size of potato. Put them so they are just covered in cold water with a little salt if you use it. Place them on the cooking hob and bring to the boil for approx 20 minutes. If you put the lid on the saucepan you can turn down the heat used to cook them and save energy. You do not need to boil them hard , just simmer them. Prick one or two with a sharp knife or fork around this time and if it goes in without resistance they are cooked. Remove from hob and drain.

Add a knob of butter or marge, a little milk and a fresh egg then mash them being careful not to leave lumps. Serve as required.

Answer 6

Quarter peeled potatoes and cover with water, add salt. Bring to a boil, continue boiling until potatoes are tender (fall apart when poked with a fork). My mom always told me the secret to great mashed potatoes was the order in which you mashed and added ingredients. Drain potatoes, mash potatoes alone, then add butter ONLY, then add milk...a little at a time. Don't over beat after adding butter or milk. Actually good mashed potatoes are hard to make....not ignorant at all.

Answer 7

not an ignorant question at all you see if they re new season potatoes you cant mash them they would turn out like paste so for mashing only use old season potatoes golden wonder are hard to watch in seconds their gone from hard to water i find rooster or kerr pink a nice potato for mashing put them into cold water and boil again new potatoes are only supposed to be boiled in boiling water skin on of course so boil your spuds for 20-30 Min's depending on size and amount test with a fork if soft strain well leave lid off for 2 Min's for them to dry out add butter salt and milk mesh well no lumps you could also put half milk half cream for a really rich creamed potato naughty but really nice enjoy

Answer 8

From cold, electric hob on 4, gas on about 1/3, about 45-60 mins. Use Desiree or King Edwards for best results. Mash along with a large lump of butter. The smaller you chop the potatoes the quicker the cooking time.

Answer 9

OK lets get back to the basics peel and cut your spuds wash in cold water and place in a pan fill with cold water put on the stove place a lid on the pan and bring to the boil turn down the heat and simmer for 20 Min's or until you can poke a knife in one and its soft drain off water and place in a bowl add some butter and mash till light and fluffy remember you can always add the cooked spuds to a baking tray with a little cooking oil and place into a hot oven for 20 Min's to make really nice roasted spuds x

Answer 10

I get the water to boiling before putting in the potatoes. Keep the water boiling and 'testing' with the pointed end of a knife. Usually takes 25-30 minutes.

Answer 11

I always cook my spuds in cold water and then let it come to the boil. Cook them until you can pierce them with a fork. They are soft now. Drain the water off and mash the tatties. If you want to speed the process up, cut your potates up in too smaller bits. I have cut them into chip sized pieces before when I am in a hurry. They will cook much faster and in any case you are going to mash them so the initial shape won``t matter when they are ready for eating.