You can't live without Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are made by mashing, pulverizing or pureeing potatoes with the use of fork or some other tool like potato masher, ricer or food mill. Potatoes are usually mashed along with butter and milk to add extra rich flavors. All types of potatoes can be mashed but the floury type is more recommended. Mashed potato is a staple that cannot be taken away from almost every dining table. It could be served plainly along with different types of dishes, or could be used as a main ingredient in making a variety of dishes. This dish is probably the most versatile vegetable or ingredient of all time, name it, and it can turn into any kind of dish you want. They could be made into pies, casseroles, croquettes, dumplings, bread, omelets and even into candies. Can you believe how amazing this pureed vegetable could be? Find out more about mashed potatoes as you read along.

For all mashed potato lovers out there, here's the very basic recipe for mashed potatoes.

Mashed potatoes wouldn't be complete without its perfectly partnered gravy, right? For all you guys who want to experience yet another one of those priceless moments between your taste buds, your stomach, and yourself, better follow these easy steps in making gravy. Make your very own gravy with this classic recipe. Pair this with mashed potatoes and you'll surely have a perfect evening.

Potato Pie

Potato Pie is a traditional side dish or Thanksgiving dish that's made in a large tart in a pie shell. Its filling is made of rich mashed potatoes(sweet potatoes) along with milk, sugar, eggs and flavored with spices such as nutmeg, and other ingredients like vanilla and banana extracts. The Shepherd's pie, on the other hand, is filled with mashed potatoes, onion, garlic, meat and veggies.

Potato Croquettes are small patties or rolls that are deep fried to a crispy golden brown, they are usually rolled in breadcrumbs and include meat filling. These are usually served as a side dish or an appetizer.

Either white or sweet potatoes can be used to make potato cakes. These can take the form of a main dish, a side dish, or a dessert. These are often combined with flour, eggs and a small amount of cream, and then fried in butter.

Potato candies are remarkably sweet desserts. They are very easy to make. The 3 basic things you need in order to make these are confectioner's sugar, peanut butter and of course, mashed potatoes. Potatoes are boiled and then mashed. They are rolled in confectioner's sugar and coated with peanut butter. You can mix other ingredients, of course, to add new flavors. You can add cocoa, peppermint, cinnamon and melted chocolate chips.

Potato Dumplings are delicious comfort foods that people enjoy nowadays. Potato dumplings are made from mashed or riced potato mixture that are formed into balls and gently boiled. A variety of complimentary ingredients can be added such as flour, cheese, onion and bacon. Potato Dumplings vary from one country to another. German dumplings are served with roast and gravy, Polish, Russian and Ukrainian dumplings are made from a mashed potato filling contained inside a flour-based dough and served with sour cream.

Potatoes could greatly enhance our immune system because they are rich in Vitamin C, thus, protecting us from various illnesses and diseases and enhancing our body's ability to absorb other essential vitamins. Vitamin C aids in the absorption of other vitamins and minerals. Potatoes are also a valuable source of dietary fiber which helps us maintain normal elimination and keeps our tummies healthy. Vitamin B6, that is widely known to prevent health problems, is also present in potatoes. This vitamin is vital in maintaining nerve functioning, preventing heart diseases, kidney stones, premenstrual syndrome, mental depression, etc. Another nutrient that's abundant in potatoes is potassium. Potato skins, specifically have higher concentrations of potassium. Potassium helps maintain normal blood pressure and stabilizes the levels of salt in our bodies. On the other hand, sweet potatoes are a good source of Vitamin A that could maintain healthy vision and healthy skin. Other nutrients that we could get from potatoes are iron, copper,and of course, carbohydrates. Mashed potatoes are not only a versatile ingredient that could turn into hundreds of dishes but also a very nutritious staple.