Daily Kitchen Note
Adding cold milk and butter to hot potatoes cools them down and requires excessive stirring, which can lead to a gummy texture. Warming the dairy first ensures it absorbs quickly and evenly, keeping the potatoes hot and fluffy.
How to Heat dairy before mashing
- Boil and drain the potatoes as usual.
- In a small saucepan, gently heat the milk and butter until warm but not boiling.
- Mash the potatoes, then slowly fold in the warm dairy mixture until just combined.
Why it works
Warm dairy absorbs into the potato starch more readily than cold dairy, minimizing the need for stirring. Less stirring means less starch is released, preventing a gluey texture.
Source
The Kitchn: The One Small Step You Should Never Skip When Making Mashed Potatoes
