17 Simple Mashed Potato Recipes for When You're Craving Comfort Food (2024)

FAQs

Is mashed potatoes a comfort food? ›

Fried, mashed, or baked – potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, a simple ingredient to work with, and the perfect base to build from for any comfort dish.

Roasted meats (beef, pork, chicken), stews (Brunswick stew), things with meaty sauce (boeuf bourguignon) or things with creamier sauces (beef Stroganof) all make good accompaniments for mashed potatoes.

You've probably noticed that you feel calmer and more content after digging into a yummy baked potato or plate of home fries. And researchers may have figured out why: Potatoes boast rich stores of tryptophan and potassium — nutrients your brain and digestive tract use to produce the mood-steadying hormone serotonin.

Adding egg yolks to a pot of mashed potatoes is an easy, dairy-free texture and taste upgrade that doesn't require any special techniques. The yolks harbor all the flavorful fats and emulsifying components and will thus effectively unify the fat and water in potatoes, translating to a smoother, uniformly creamy pot.

Instead of regular milk, pro chefs generally use a generous helping of buttermilk and plenty of half-and-half or (even better) heavy cream in their potatoes. If you think the bartenders up front are pouring heavy, they've got nothing on the cooks in the back who are in charge of the mashed potatoes.

Almost any meat complements the creamy texture of mashed potatoes. Traditionally, they're served with roasted chicken, grilled steak, pork chops, meatloaf, or turkey. However, they also work well with more gourmet choices like duck, lamb, or a rich beef bourguignon. What can I eat with mashed potatoes besides gravy?

The best potatoes for mashed potatoes are a starchy varieties like russet, Idaho or Yukon gold. Starchy potatoes are best for mashed potatoes because they have a fluffy, almost airy texture that breaks down easily.

In my opinion, I would say that mash potatoes, onions, gravy, sausages or meatloaf, carrots, cabbage, and peas go so well together. Fried leftover mash potato with onion, cabbage, peas are also yummy served a fried egg. Somethings just go together. Mashed potato is also nice with a good meat stew.

Eating potatoes without removing the alkaloids leads to the development of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomachache, feeling of weakness, dizziness, and dyspnea about 20 minutes after eating, and food poisoning may develop although it is generally mild.

Truth is, potatoes are natural stress relievers. This is because, as a nutrient-dense carbohydrate, potatoes trigger insulin to allow tryptophan into the brain. This process ultimately creates 5HTP and boosts serotonin... naturally!

How do you stop potato cravings? ›

Opt for a balanced diet: By focusing on eating whole, nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, you can help keep your blood sugar levels in check and avoid overeating. Limiting your intake of processed foods and sugary drinks is also wise, which can hurt insulin resistance.

Vitamins and Minerals: Potatoes contain important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and dietary fiber. Moderate in Calories: While mashed potatoes can be calorie-dense, especially when loaded with butter and cream, they can still fit into a balanced diet if portion sizes are controlled.

Tryptophan, which is naturally found in potatoes, is a natural sedative that promotes restful sleep. In addition, the potassium in potatoes acts as a muscle relaxant, ensuring a more restful sleep and more relaxed body.

Wealth of micronutrients. In addition to carbohydrates — a needed energy source for your body and brain — potatoes contain a wealth of micronutrients. They're a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. As a bonus, potatoes are low in calories, contain no fat or cholesterol, and are sodium-free.

Mashed potato came from one golfer wanting his mum to spot him on TV. Andrew Widmar first shouted it at the 2011 Chevron World Challenge after Tiger hit a stinger.