Dear Bee,
My problem is lumpy mashed potato. I have noticed that Newsnibbles
has been running a weekly recipe corner, and was hoping that this may
address my problem, but as yet it has not. It doesn’t matter how hard
I mash, I just can’t shift those lumps. My friends all laugh at me
and say I should just buy instant mash, but there has got to be a way
to get creamy smooth mash and I’m hoping you’ll know it.Please help.
Lumpy Spud.
Dear Spud,
Rest assured Spud-Bee is always here for her loyal fans. I have several thoughts on your vexing conundrum. The first being that you really need to find a more supportive peer group. Your friends should be grateful and delighted that you are willing to prepare a home cooked meal for them, not taunting your efforts.
But that is not why you have written in. Well Spud, you are in luck. I have had great success using a tool known as a ricer. Now I hear you saying “But Bee, I’m making potatoes, not rice.” Fret not my lumpy friend-the ricer is so named because it has a flat paddle with tiny holes in it approximately the size of a grain of rice. Employing this gadget, which should be easily obtained at any kitchen supply store, should have your potatoes sliding free and easy in no time.
I would like to share one last thought with you though. If you are a regular reader of my column, you may have noticed that I often encourage my readers to embrace, nay celebrate, the “lumps and bumps” that they would often prefer to eradicate from their lives. As I frequently say “When life smashes your dreams, turn them into fairy dust.” There is a magical place here in America known as New Orleans, where at this time of year they make a delicacy known as King Cake. One of the features of a King Cake is that during the preparation a small plastic baby is mixed into the batter. The lucky individual who chooses the slice of cake with the baby inside is declared to be King (or Queen) for the day. So, should you wish, you could opt to include such a trinket in with your lumpy mashed potatoes, and your friends will soon be jostling to see who can get the serving with the most lumps.
Best,
Bee
