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Food & Wine Recipe

Mashed Potatoes with Crème Fraîche and Chives

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  • ACTIVE: 40 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR
  • SERVINGS: 12
  • •MAKE-AHEAD
  • •STAFF-FAVORITE
  • •VEGETARIAN

These are the perfect mashed potatoes: creamy, fluffy and slightly tangy thanks to the addition of crème fraîche. The chopped chives add an appealing freshness, but purists can omit them.

  1. 6 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and halved
  2. 2 cups whole milk
  3. 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
  4. Kosher salt
  5. 1 cup crème fraîche
  6. 1/2 cup finely chopped chives
  7. Freshly ground pepper
  1. In a large pot, cover the potatoes with cold water and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over moderate heat until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes; drain. Press the potatoes through a ricer into a large saucepan set over low heat.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the milk with 10 tablespoons of the butter and 1 tablespoon of salt and cook over moderate heat until the butter is melted, about 3 minutes.
  3. Pour the hot milk over the riced potatoes and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until blended, about 2 minutes. Stir in the crème fraîche, the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the chives and cook until the potatoes are heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, transfer the mashed potatoes to a bowl and serve.
Make Ahead The mashed potatoes can be kept covered at room temperature for up to 3 hours. Reheat before serving.