Popular Dishes You've Been Making Wrong Your Whole Life

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Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are simple but still require proper technique. First off, make sure you're using Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes for best, fluffy results. Next, don't forget to salt the cooking water. This step is important for flavor, and you should start with cold water to ensure the potatoes cook evenly. Another common mistake is adding cream and butter right out of the fridge. Their cool temperature, will transfer to the potatoes when you incorporate them, and you'll have to work harder to get them melted and mixed in. That might result in overworked gluey mashed potatoes. Let the butter and cream come to room temperature while cooking the potatoes, and add them right before serving.