This is Why You Should Stop Boiling Mashed Potatoes in Water
April 12, 2024
source: Pexels
Mashed potatoes are my kids’ absolute favorite meal. They ask for it almost every day. Well, I’d rather give them vegetables and greens, but what can I say, they are very stubborn with their food choices. So, if I want them to eat well, I have to make mashed potatoes a few times a week. It’s not just my kids who are crazy about it; me and my husband love mashed potatoes too! We often brainstorm how we can make it more delicious. Scrolling through Instagram and TikTok—embarrassingly often—I stumbled across a tip from a TikToker named Jourdyn, who goes by the handle @jeauxp. I thought, “What more can you do to mashed potatoes?” But apparently, there’s a lot more.
According to Jourdyn, the secret ingredient is… chicken stock! (or broth, doesn’t really matter). I could never have thought of that on my own. Usually, my recipe was pretty standard: boil the potatoes in water and salt, mash them up with butter and milk, and that’s it. But Jourdyn introduced me to a whole new world of flavors.
She starts by not peeling the potatoes. Yes, you read that right—she keeps the skins on! She believes that the skins not only add texture but also nutrients. After thoroughly washing them, she rubs avocado oil on the outside of her potato skins, cuts them in halves, and places them in a pot. Then comes her twist: instead of just water, she uses a mix of chicken stock and water, adds a pinch of salt, and lets them boil.
Why does it taste so good? I was skeptical, but the curiosity got the better of me. So, one evening, I decided to give Jourdyn’s method a try. I followed her steps: rubbed avocado oil on the skins, used chicken broth (I didn’t have stock), and waited anxiously for the results.
After boiling, I drained the potatoes while reserving some of the cooking liquid for mashing. Then, I mashed the potatoes, skins and all, with a bit of butter, a splash of the reserved broth, and a generous helping of black pepper. The result? The flavors were incredible! The broth added a subtle umami that water simply couldn’t match, and the skins provided a delightful, rustic texture.
My kids, usually sticklers for the usual creamy texture, were intrigued by the slightly chunky feel. And my husband, who is a die-hard fan of traditional mashed potatoes, asked me, “What did you do differently? These are amazing!” Suffice to say, the new recipe was a roaring success.
Encouraged by this success, I started experimenting more. Inspired by another TikTok user, @potatolover97, I added a dollop of sour cream and some chopped chives to the next batch for extra tang and a punch of color. The tang of the sour cream paired wonderfully with the richness of the potatoes, turning our humble dinner side dish into the star of the meal.
Through my TikTok-inspired journey, I’ve learned that mashed potatoes don’t have to be mundane. They can be a canvas for culinary creativity. From mixing in roasted garlic and parmesan to a bold splash of truffle oil for special occasions, the possibilities are endless.
I’ve also been more open to trying other TikTok cooking hacks, like adding a pinch of nutmeg to spinach for an unexpected flavor lift, or using a slice of bread to quickly soften brown sugar. These little tips and tricks have not only improved my cooking but made me realize that sometimes, scrolling through social media can lead to some genuinely useful discoveries.
So, the next time you’re planning to make mashed potatoes, consider leaving the skins on, swapping water for chicken stock, and maybe, just maybe, scroll through TikTok for a little culinary inspiration. Who knows? You might just stumble upon your next favorite recipe, just like I did. And if you’re anything like me and my family, you’ll instantly go crazy about it!