Begin by peeling and chopping 2 pounds of russet or Yukon gold potatoes into small, evenly sized pieces. Rinse the potatoes in cold water to remove any excess starch. In a large pot, cover the chopped potatoes with water and bring them to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender, which should take around 15-20 minutes.
Drain the cooked potatoes in a colander and return them to the pot. Using either a potato masher or an electric mixer, mash the potatoes until they reach your desired consistency. This is where you can get creative and choose to leave some chunks for added texture or mash them until they are completely smooth.
In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 cup of milk or cream over medium heat until it begins to steam. Pour the hot liquid into the mashed potatoes and mix well. Next, add in 2 tablespoons of melted salted butter and continue mixing until fully incorporated. This step is what gives these mashed potatoes their creamy and indulgent texture.
Now it’s time to add some seasoning. Start by sprinkling in a pinch of salt and pepper, adjusting according to your taste preferences. For those who enjoy an extra kick of flavor, you can also mix in 1.5 cloves (rounding up to 2 cloves if desired) of minced garlic at this step for a tasty twist.
Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving dish and top with additional melted butter, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the rich and flavorful Brenda Gantt’s mashed potatoes.