Forget everything you think you know about mashed potatoes. Yes, even what your grandma taught you. There's one simple trick that will transform your mashed potatoes into a fluffy, cloudy dream. And the best part? No mixing, no fuss—just a little milk magic.
Mashed potatoes are the king of comfort food – the perfect accompaniment to steak, roasts or just giant spoons. But how many of you have experienced that moment of disappointment when you hopefully grabbed a spoon and instead of silky softness, you were offered a sticky, dry mass that could easily be used to repair a wall? Don't worry - the solution is within reach of the pot. TikTok Chef Rosemary Gill used a simple trick to reveal what "creamy mashed potatoes" really means and why it's time to finally save the water for cooking pasta.
The secret to perfect mashed potatoes is in the milk (not the water, like you've probably been doing all your life)
In her viral video, Rosemary explains that most people make a fatal mistake when making mashed potatoes at the very beginning - they boil the potatoes in water. Wrong, potato friends. The water washes away the valuable starch that would otherwise provide that soft, cohesive texture of the puree that makes people stop talking and just enjoy it.
"Cook potatoes in milk, not water,” advises the chef. The milk retains the starch while creating a delicious base that adds a richness to the puree that you would swear was prepared by a professional Michelin-starred kitchen. Or your mother. But after this article – especially you.
@177milkstreet Simmer your mashed potatoes in milk, not water! Potatoes are like pasta, in that they leach starches into their cooking liquid. In the case of pasta, you want to reserve some of that liquid to give the sauce a luscious shine and bind it to the noodles. In mashed potatoes, cooking in milk, and preserving that starchy liquid, gives your potatoes a natural creaminess and allows you to skip the heavy heavy cream. #MilkStreetCookingSchool director Rosie Gill demonstrates. #milkstreet #milkstreetrecipes #milkstreetsides #sidesrecipes #thanksgiving #thanksgivingrecipes #potatoes #potatorecipes #mashedpotatoes #mashedpotatorecipes #vegetables #milkstreetrecipes #holiday #holidayrecipes #food #cooking #easyrecipes ♬ original sound – Milk Street
Less dishes, more enjoyment
If you're familiar with that kitchen battle with dirty dishes after preparing lunch, you'll love another trick of hers: simply mash the potatoes right in the same pot they were cooked in. No blender, no extra bowls - just you, the pot, and potato ecstasy.
This is not only convenient (and perfect for lazy Sundays), but also efficient – the mashed potatoes stay hot, the texture is preserved, and no one will miss the extra washing up. Which, hands down, means less time in the kitchen and more time for… well, everything else.
The Internet is excited: “They always ask how I make such good mashed potatoes”
The comments under the video are a veritable festival of gratitude. One follower writes: “I've been making puree like this for years, and everyone asks me for the recipe."Others wonder how they didn't know this before - well, because Rosemary didn't cook you lunch, of course."
So, the next time you're struggling to make the perfect side dish, remember: keep the water for the pasta, and heat the milk for the puree. The result? Fluffy, creamy, and utterly unforgettable.
