Mashed Potatoes / Piure de cartofi

Directions

1. Start water boiling in a medium pot. Enough water to cover potatoes.

2. Wash potatoes. Peel (or not – more vitamins in the skin) and cube potatoes.

3. Add cubed potatoes to boiling water. When water returns to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer.

4. When potatoes are soft, drain the water.

5. In the pan, add milk (optional), butter, and a bit of salt and pepper. Mash well using a masher or fork.

6. Taste, adjust seasoning, and consistency if needed. More milk will give you wetter mashed potatoes. Serve hot.

                                                              

Notes: A simple side dish for any meat or vegetable entree.

 

Variations: This recipe can be dressed up in many ways. The simplest is to add spices (like paprika, garlic salt, a chopped green onion, 1 Tbs horseradish sauce, herbs) a dollop of sour cream (smântână) or ⅓ c. grated cheese. For garlic mashed potatoes, add 4-6 minced garlic cloves to the water while cooking potatoes. Blue cheese mashed potatoes is another great variation – if you can find blue cheese, add about 2 Tbs during the mashing processes.