Evil Fiddlesticks! My easy way is boxed mixes, lol.....unless I'm in a rare mood to make them regular ...My moms grounded from them after I caught her putting sour cream in them one time.....she can no longer touch the mashed potatoes.

Ok, it's not a super secret thing... lots of you already probably do this, but... in case you don't...

The old method included peeling a boatload of potatoes, which I hate doing, and tends to leave my hands hurting! Then you whip 'em with a mixer which develops them into a more pasty texture if you aren't super careful. But, I don't like 'em just smashed... I like 'em nice and smooth.

So... easy method...

Throw a bunch of potatoes in a pot with some salt (garlic is good too!), bring to a boil, boil 45 minutes or until tender when poked. Drain. Cut in half, place half in ricer cut side down, push through. Pull skins out of ricer after a few halves to keep it from getting in the way. After all potatoes are through, pour melted butter and warm milk on top and give a light stir. Season as desired. It may not sound easier, but believe me... the process of putting them through the ricer is so quick and easy, and there is NO peeling required. It ROCKS!!! If you don't know what a ricer is, let me know, I'll post a pic!

ETA: Urgent clarification!!! Cut potatoes into two short fat halves, not two long skinny halves, otherwise they don't fit in the ricer!!

Ok I was already to make caramels and I tested my candy thermometer and its not working correctly. Poop! Now I have to go buy a new one . I dont want to have to worry about remembering to adjust every time I use it .

MEL!!! When you have a daughter that would eat mashed potatoes 7 days a week 3 meals a day, sometimes ya gotta use the box, lol...especially if it's for only 1 serving...

Now what the heck is a ricer????????

Hmmmm, I wonder if the laser thermometer would work for making candy.....I may have to go buy a new candy thermometer also, I havent seen mine yet...SEE, I am soooooooo procrastinating at putting stuff away!

Ok chass, I'll give ya that one! As long as you don't serve them to me when I surprise you by dropping by for dinner! Hehehehe.

This is a ricer. See, the potatoes get smooshed down through the little holes an the skin sticks to the round flat silver plunger and you just pull it off and throw it away after a few taters go through. It's awesome. SO easy!

Ooooohhhh, I likes...that would be easier!

Can it shread cheese also???? My bestie gave me 5 HUGE chunks of cheese, and this little grater, and had me grate cheese at taco night...I was sooooo close to lobbing cheese at people! I'd buy one for her for Christmas! (Along with 5 huge blocks of cheese! Paybacks are fun!!)

No, unless you're talking room temp cream cheese! You can only push through soft objects like cooked potatoes.

Whats a good candy thermometer So when I buy a new one tmrw. Anything new and awesome out there? I have had this one for a few yrs now its just the old cheap clip on the pan kind.
Mel What else do you use the ricer for?

Thank you so much melvira! You're the best!

And Mel, when you surprise me for dinner, bring your ricer, you can cook the mashed potatoes, since apparently, I'm not allowed to touch them anymore

Alright, I will put on ONE 'display' cooking of the potatoes just to show everyone how ridiculously little work it is. Hey, maybe I'll make one a goofy Utube video!! Hehehe. Oh, wait, I don't mean that in a bad way, I adore all the ones I've seen from Aine and Tonedna... I didn't mean to make that sound like it was a slam. I just mean, with ME in it, you can bet it'll be goofy. So... potatoes 101... coming soon to a theatre near you!

Ok cant wait!! I have the pop corn. Chass can you bring the drinks/pop??
Im sure this is a youtube we will want to watch over and over !
Oh and Mel can you pull on your ear or something so I know you talking just to me ????

Boy I haven't kept up with this thread because I'm not getting email notices for it. So many recipes to catch up with, so little time...

Oh good Lord, you didn't think I was going to show my FACE in this video, did you???

Oh and hubby is all for me making a video if it means that sack of potatoes in the pantry is going to be turned into mashed!!

Sure Fiddle...I'm a Dr Pepper girl!!! What's your flavor??? I'll be right there, what time's the show Mel??????

Hahahaha! It depends on which show! Fiddle is making a list of things she wants me to make videos of! I think she's got me doing buttercream flowers first.

Oh YA ! buttercream flowers, The ricer, caramels , a demo on the roller( Mel method ) Ok these are just a start .
Well you can at least show an ear or,ok How about you wiggle a pinky finger Chass, Im a diet root beer granny, or caffeine diet coke Im sure we could use some of the youtube ideas for a xmas gift to. ( trying to stick with the thread Better bring lots of pop and snacks Im sure we will be a while

. . . .

The dragonlady has the right idea !

I'm not even going to try to catch up to this thread, but I hope ya'll will let me squeeze in? I've got a few good recipes to hold my weight

For the holidays, I do a LOT of chocolates. I just started a thread, hopefully some other chocolate makers will join in...*hint hint nudge nudge*... (http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-608060.html)

Have there been any groundbreaking recipes/discussions I should catch up on?

Jana, Fiddlesticks has all the recipe links in her signature, her, Mel & a couple of other people from various threads, have done such an awesome job updating it & putting it one location for all of us!


K Fiddle, I'll be bringing my sleeping bag also!

Good Idea Chass I will have to have my pillow ! Mel must be busy making then now I hope she doesent forget to give me a sign that shes talking to me !

Ok fine Fiddle, I'll wiggle a finger to let you know I'm thinking of you... I'm not saying which one though!!

Ok, so, we've determined so far that I'm going to hire a professional cameraman (or a local highschooler) to follow me around and just record everything I do, then we can break it into little bitty videos and post them. I can assure you there are a few you won't want to see. You know, the ones where I talk bad about people and mock their cakes, etc. Just kidding! I don't do that. Well, ok, when I am reading Cake Wrecks I do, but that's different... you're supposed to!! That's why they're there!

Tell ya what... I have to go shopping for groceries today when the boys take their nap, I'll try to pick up a 2 liter of Diet Cherry Coke, then I'll get all hopped up on it and start making videos. ("What do you mean you couldn't tell what I was doing? I wasn't moving THAT fast!") Of course, then I'll need some Tylenol PM to bring me down so I can go to sleep! Hehehe.

K Mel, we'll be waiting, all I have is exedrin migraine


Fiddle, that cracks me up, hubby cant sleep without a paticular pillow, I thought he'd go crazy in boot, he'd write about missing his stupid pillow, then when he went to A school, he came home and got his stupid pillow, then couldnt take it to C school.....I hide it from him when I get mad at him, or change the pillowcases so he has to really search for it

Awesome, thanks for letting me know

Shame on you Mel
Well I guess any finger is better then NO sign at all
Chass, even better I have to have 2 pillows
And they have to be the big thick full kind NOT the ones that squish to flat when you lay on them. I take my pillows on vacation to, those stupid motels/hotels only give you 1 flat one
Mel so now your making a day in the life of Mel show ! Awesome, We want to see the uncut version Its got to be way better then the edited one
Has anyone come up with any new and exciting Holiday gift ideas ?

Thats ok I ramble to ! I saw that candy box just today at my cake supply store , She also had some real pretty new xmas candy boxes out.