mashed potatatoes boil or simmer potatoes?

Question

When you make mashed potatoes do you boil the water first and then put in the potatoes or do you put the potatoes in cold water and boil them together?

Answer 1

I peel the potatoes then chop them into smaller pieces. I put them in a pot and fill it with cold water and then proceed to boil them together.

Answer 2

I put my pared and sliced potatoes in cold water and bring the water to a rolling boil. I reduce the heat until the potatoes are at a mild boil, but more than just a simmer, and cook uncovered until they are soft. I drain the potatoes, reserving the water. I use a potato masher to take out the lumps, add about half warmed half-and-half and half potato water, butter, salt and just a touch of pepper. (Some people like to add garlic, cheese or sour cream, but I don't.) Then I get out my electric hand mixer and give the potatoes a good whippin' to make them fluffy. The balance of the potato water goes to make the gravy.

Answer 3

Put the potatoes in cold water. Boil only till you can pierce a fork into the potato. If you boil too long they will be mushy, not fluffy. Drain water and return to stove for a minute or so to dry excess water off. Mash potatoes with warm milk, butter, salt, & pepper.

Answer 4

I just peel and cut into quarters and rinse, add cold water and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer as the veges are steamed over the top.
When ready drain add some butter and milk and mash by hand.

Answer 5

my mom makes the best mashed potatoes. she cuts the potatoes up into a pan and puts water over them she lets them boil and she sticks a fork in them to see if they are done they should be soft. then she adds hot milk, butter, salt and pepper in them and mixes them with a mixer. no one can make them better!

Answer 6

i prefer to put them in cold water and bring to a boil....turn heat down slightly....cook in the boiling water until you can put a fork through it..
drain well
add margarine, (warm up a lil milk in microwave) add the warm milk, you can also add minced garlic at this point..salt/pepper..some ppl add a lil cheese ...mash them with masher* or beat with electric hand mixer...They are delicious NO LUMPS mash potatoes*

Answer 7

Definetly boil.... that gets them perfectly soft to cut, and the mash.... simmer just doesnt soften them as much!

Answer 8

i think that you could do either, but boil works the best in my opinion! =]

Answer 9

boil