Perfect Creamy Lump-Free Mashed Potatoes Every Time--The Sequel

Yesterday, my daughter, who is a student at Le Cordon Bleu, came home with a chicken she'd roasted in class. Perfect for dinner, and what goes better with roasted chicken than some creamy mashed potatoes? So I looked around the kitchen, but the only potatoes I had were some small assorted potatoes--some Red Blush, some Peruvian purples, and others of the waxy variety. I know, not the right kind to mash, right? I was in an experimental mood, however, so I decided to forge ahead and give it a try.

So, I cut them up into discs, rinsed them a couple times, simmered them gently until they were tender, evaporated as much water out of them as I could.... How would they turn out? I wondered. I used a bit more butter than I normally would and added some cream as well and started to mash. I decided not to use a food mill; I thought forcing these waxies through a bunch of small holes would almost guarantee gooeyness. So I used the old-fashioned metal hand masher instead, and I went gently on them, not wanting to over-process them, sacrificing some lumpiness for a better texture.

Well, guess what? They were fantastic! Sure, they were heavier and denser than usual, but the taste was out of this world. Using artisanal varieties of potatoes lent them a more intense flavor that didn't require any heavy seasoning. In fact, besides a little salt and pepper, the only thing I added was a pinch of nutmeg to complement the earthiness of the spuds. I also kept the skins on, which added a texture that regular mashed potatoes don't have (as well as some extra flavor on top of what was already intense).

My wife and daughter weren't as enthusiastic about them as I was, and I wouldn't have them all the time. I still prefer the light, fluffy variety of mashed potatoes. But for a change of pace, these really fit the bill. So, what I've learned is, there are exceptions to every rule, there are variations to every theme, and there's more than one way to skin a cat (or mash a potato!).