Welcome to our delicious School Mashed Potatoes recipe! If you’ve ever wondered how to recreate those creamy and flavorful mashed potatoes served in school cafeterias, you’re in the right place. Our easy mashed potatoes recipe will guide you through the process of making homemade mashed potatoes that are sure to impress your family and friends.
In this recipe, we take a unique approach by roasting the potatoes in their skins to extract moisture and intensify the flavor. The result is a velvety smooth and irresistible dish that will have everyone reaching for seconds. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a classic comfort food that will transport you back to your school days.
So, let’s get started and learn how to make these School Mashed Potatoes. Your taste buds will thank you!
Key Takeaways:
- Create creamy and delicious mashed potatoes with our easy recipe.
- Roasting the potatoes in their skins enhances the flavor.
- Use simple ingredients like milk, butter, salt, and white pepper.
- This recipe is perfect for those looking for homemade mashed potatoes.
- Enjoy a comforting and nostalgic dish that will please both kids and adults.
Ingredients and Preparation
To make these School Mashed Potatoes, you will need the following ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Russet potatoes | 2 pounds |
| Whole milk | 1 cup |
| Unsalted butter | 4 tablespoons |
| Sea salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Ground white pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Bacon | 4 slices, cooked and crumbled |
| Mushrooms (shiitakes recommended) | 4 ounces, sliced |
| Shallots | 2, finely chopped |
| Garlic | 2 cloves, minced |
| Thyme | 1 teaspoon, chopped |
| Flour | 2 tablespoons |
| Dry red wine | 1/4 cup |
| Chicken stock (or any defatted meat/poultry stock) | 1 cup |
| Dry sherry | 2 tablespoons |
Here’s how to prepare the School Mashed Potatoes:
- Bake the russet potatoes in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 1 hour or until tender.
- Remove the skins from the baked potatoes and mash them with the hot milk and butter mixture until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate pan, sauté the bacon, mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and thyme until golden and fragrant.
- Add flour to the pan and cook for a minute, then deglaze with dry red wine.
- Pour in the chicken stock and simmer until the mixture thickens.
- Puree the gravy mixture until smooth.
- Heat the gravy with dry sherry and adjust the seasoning to taste.
- Serve the mashed potatoes with the flavorful mushroom and bacon gravy on top.
Serving Size and Variations
This School Mashed Potatoes recipe serves 4 people, making it perfect for a small family meal or for enjoying leftovers. However, if you need to make a larger quantity, the second source provides serving sizes for 50 and 100 people.
It’s important to note that this recipe provides a generous serving of ½ cup of starchy vegetables per person, ensuring a nutritious accompaniment to your meal.
While there are no specific variations mentioned in the sources, you can easily customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences. Add different herbs or spices to the mashed potatoes to enhance flavor or experiment with adjusting the seasonings in the gravy to create a unique twist.
Get creative and elevate these School Mashed Potatoes to suit your personal style and culinary preferences!
USDA Guidelines for School Mashed Potatoes
The USDA has established guidelines for school meals to ensure that students receive nutritious and balanced meals. These guidelines cover various aspects, including the age group of students and the nutritional requirements that need to be met. In the case of school mashed potatoes, it is essential to adhere to these guidelines to provide a healthy and satisfying meal for students.
According to the USDA guidelines, the specified age group for school meals is between 6 and 18 years old. This means that the mashed potato recipe should be suitable for children and teenagers within this age range. The recipe should not only meet their taste preferences but also provide the necessary nutrients for their growing bodies.
The serving sizes recommended by the USDA for school meals are typically designed to cater to larger groups of students. The mashed potato recipe should be adjusted accordingly to provide servings for 50 or 100 people, depending on the needs of the school. Ensuring that the recipe yields the appropriate quantity is essential for efficient meal planning and distribution.
NSLP Crediting Information
Another important aspect of adhering to the USDA guidelines is meeting the requirements for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) crediting information. The NSLP establishes crediting standards for food items, ensuring that they contribute to a balanced meal for students.
In the case of mashed potatoes, the recipe should provide the recommended amount of starchy vegetables per serving. The NSLP requires that each serving of school mashed potatoes includes at least 1/2 cup of starchy vegetables. This ensures that the meal provides valuable nutrients and contributes to a balanced diet for students.
It is crucial for school food service professionals to carefully follow the USDA guidelines and NSLP crediting information when preparing school mashed potatoes. By doing so, they can ensure that students are provided with nutritious and delicious meals that meet their dietary needs.
“Meeting the USDA guidelines for school meals is essential to provide students with nutritious and balanced meals. By following these guidelines, schools can ensure that mashed potatoes are not just a tasty option, but also a healthy one.”
Conclusion
School Mashed Potatoes are a classic and simple dish that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. This recipe aims to recreate the comforting and delicious mashed potatoes often served in school cafeterias. By roasting the potatoes in their skins and combining them with a creamy gravy, you can achieve a delightful texture and flavor. Whether you’re making these mashed potatoes for a school lunch or a family dinner, they are sure to be a hit.
Classic mashed potatoes have always been a favorite among students, and this recipe captures that timeless appeal. With its smooth and velvety texture, it provides the perfect accompaniment to any meal. The simplicity of the recipe allows for easy preparation, making it a convenient option for busy school cafeterias or home kitchens.
These simple mashed potatoes are not just a delicious side dish, they also offer nutritional benefits. Potatoes are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, making them a valuable addition to school lunches. The creamy gravy adds flavor and moisture, ensuring that every bite is satisfying and enjoyable. Whether you’re a student or a parent preparing lunch, these mashed potatoes are a tasty and nutritious choice.
FAQ
What is the recipe for School Mashed Potatoes?
To make School Mashed Potatoes, you will need russet potatoes, whole milk, unsalted butter, sea salt, ground white pepper, bacon, mushrooms, shallots, garlic, thyme, flour, dry red wine, chicken stock, and dry sherry. The potatoes are baked, mashed with milk and butter, while the gravy is made by sautéing bacon, mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and thyme, and then simmering with wine and chicken stock.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe serves 4 people, but can also be easily adjusted for a larger quantity by following the serving size recommendations provided in the second source.
Can I customize the recipe?
Yes, you can customize this recipe by adding different herbs or spices to the mashed potatoes or adjusting the seasonings in the gravy according to your preference.
What are the USDA guidelines for School Mashed Potatoes?
The USDA guidelines for School Mashed Potatoes include age group specifications (ages 6-18) and serving sizes of 50 or 100. The recipe consists of fresh Yukon Gold or red potatoes, low-fat milk, trans-fat-free margarine, kosher salt, and ground black pepper to meet NSLP crediting information requirements.
Are these mashed potatoes suitable for school lunches?
Yes, these mashed potatoes are kid-friendly and can be enjoyed both by kids and adults. They are a classic and simple dish that aims to recreate the comforting and delicious mashed potatoes often served in school cafeterias.
