Fluffy, Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Hot take: mashed potatoes are the most luxurious form of potato in the game. Think about it- warm, fluffy potatoes smothered in milk, butter and garlic. That is just pure luxury. I cannot verify this, but I feel like the queen must eat mashed potatoes with most meals. We're talking that level of luxury.

Fluffy, Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Serves: 6

Active Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 lbs. russet potatoes
• 5 tbsp. salt
• 2 cups whole milk
• 12 tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 2 tbsp. chunks
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp. salt

Optional garnishes: Chopped chives, parsley, butter gravy

DIRECTIONS:

1. Peel potatoes and cut them into 2 inch chunks. Rinse the potato chunks in a colander for about a minute or until the water runs clear. This is to rinse off excess starch and keep the potatoes fluffy once they are cooked.
2. Place potatoes in a large stockpot full of water and add salt. Bring the water and potatoes to a boil over high heat. Bringing the water to a boil with the potatoes already in helps them to cook evenly. Allow the potatoes to boil for about 15-20 minutes or until they are very tender.
3. Meanwhile, heat the milk, butter and garlic over medium heat until the butter is melted.
4. Drain the potatoes in a colander and rinse again for about 30 seconds to remove any remaining starch. Using a potato ricer or a potato masher, mash the potatoes in a large pot. Add the milk/butter/garlic mixture to the pot and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Oregon Pinot Noir

MY RECOMMENDATION

Erath Pinot Noir- Find it at Total Wine

WHY IT WORKS:

• Oregon pinot noir is just a delight. That’s all there is to it. It is typically quite light bodied in comparison to other red wines. It is lower in tannin or has more delicate tannins, which means it typically does not give you as much of a mouth drying sensation when you drink it.
• Pinot noir has notes of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, mushroom, leather, tobacco vanilla and much more.
• Pinot noir pairs well with these mashed potatoes because the brightness of the cherry and strawberry notes contrast the creaminess and richness of the potatoes. I also think that the earthy notes in the wine work well with the garlic in the potatoes.