Howdy there, friend â Bubba here!
Now, if thereâs one thing my Grandma taught me about cookinâ, itâs that comfort food donât come from a box â it comes from the heart. And let me tell ya, her creamy buttermilk mashed potatoes were the kind of dish that could make any meal feel like Sunday supper. Whether it was Thanksgiving dinner or just another night with the family, there was always a big olâ bowl of mashed potatoes sittinâ on the table â steaminâ, buttery, and smooth as silk.
I remember standinâ on a chair as a youngâun, watchinâ Grandma whip those potatoes till they looked like clouds. Sheâd wink at me and say, âThe trick, Bubba, is a heavy hand with the butter and a light one with the spoon.â These taters are rich, creamy, and made with nothinâ but real butter, tangy buttermilk, and a whole lotta love.
And if Iâm beinâ honest, these mashed potatoes are so smooth, you could eat âem with a straw â but thatâd be a waste of a good fork.
So grab your pot, roll up your sleeves, and letâs make a bowl of country comfort thatâll have everyone askinâ for seconds (and probably lickinâ the spoon).
đ§ș Ingredients
Keep it simple, keep it real â thatâs the Bubba way:
- 2œ pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
- œ cup real butter
- Ÿ to 1 cup buttermilk (warm, not cold â trust me on that one)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- (Optional) a pinch of garlic powder or a spoonful of roasted garlic for a little kick
- (Optional) fresh chives or parsley for garnish
đł Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Boil the Potatoes
Start by gettinâ yourself a big olâ pot of salted water bubblinâ away like a hot spring in July. Toss in your peeled and chopped potatoes and let âem boil for about 15â20 minutes, or until theyâre fork-tender. If your kitchen starts fogginâ up, youâre on the right track!
Step 2: Drain and Steam Dry
Once your taters are soft, drain the water and toss âem right back in the warm pot. Let âem sit for a minute or two to steam dry â this helps make âem fluffier. Youâll see a little wisp of steam driftinâ up, smellinâ like pure comfort.
Step 3: Add Butter and Mash
Now drop in that butter and grab your masher. Mash away while the butter melts down into those potatoes â this is where the magic starts, friend. Youâll see that shine start to appear and smell that creamy, buttery goodness risinâ up from the pot.
Step 4: Pour in Buttermilk
Hereâs Grandmaâs secret weapon â warm buttermilk. Pour it in slow while you mash and stir until the potatoes turn silky and smooth. Add a little more if you like âem extra creamy. By now, that potâs lookinâ like a cloud bank over a summer field.
Step 5: Season and Serve
Add salt, black pepper, and garlic if youâre feelinâ fancy. Stir âer up, then take a taste â it oughta make you close your eyes and hum just a little. The smell aloneâll make your kitchen feel like Grandmaâs on Thanksgiving morninâ.
đ Serving Suggestions
These mashed potatoes go with just about anything that hits a country table:
- Crispy fried chicken
- Roast beef with brown gravy
- Smoked ribs right off the pit
- Or heck, even on their own with a pat of butter meltinâ on top
As I like to say, âI reckon these mashed potatoes go with just about anything â except maybe cereal.â
đ§ Storage Tips
If by some miracle youâve got leftovers (and Iâll be mighty surprised if you do):
- Store âem in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To reheat, add a splash of buttermilk or butter and stir âtil theyâre creamy again.
They reheat just fine â maybe even better the next day, if they last that long.
You can also freeze âem for up to a month. Just thaw âem gentle and warm âem back up slow on the stove.
â€ïž Closing Thoughts from Bubba
Now thatâs what I call real comfort food â creamy, buttery, and made with love, just like Grandma taught me. Every spoonful feels like a hug from the good olâ days. Make a batch, grab a big olâ spoon, and remember: happiness starts with potatoes and ends with a full belly.
If you make this recipe, Iâd sure love to see it! Share your photos and tag Bubbaâs Recipes â letâs keep Grandmaâs good cookinâ traditions goinâ, one bowl at a time.
đ„ FAQ
Q: Can I use milk instead of buttermilk?
A: You sure can! But buttermilk gives it that extra tang and creaminess that makes folks say, âWhatâs your secret, Bubba?â
Q: Whatâs the best type of potato for creamy mashed potatoes?
A: Russets make âem fluffy, and Yukon Golds make âem rich â mix the two for the best of both worlds.
Q: How can I make them extra fluffy?
A: Mash while theyâre hot and donât overwork âem â youâre makinâ dinner, not drywall paste!
Q: Can I make them ahead of time?
A: Absolutely. Keep âem warm in a slow cooker or reheat later with a splash of buttermilk â theyâll taste just as good as fresh.
Now go on and give Grandmaâs recipe a try, friend â âcause in Bubbaâs kitchen, the only thing smoother than these potatoes is the company you share âem with. đ„â€ïž