THE best mashed potato recipe

I defy anyone with a better one.

My 11 year-old son has never liked mash, it could be because the texture is like baby purée or he doesn’t like the creamy look of it.

Because I know my role at mealtimes, I’ve never pushed it. MY role is to provide the food, HIS role is to decide what he will choose from the offering and how much. You provide, they decide. 

His survival is not dependent on him loving every. single. food. I give him. He is allowed preferences like we have. A lot of strain disappears once we, as parents, accept that.

Does your child like mash?

Recipe by my friend and food stylist Anna Burges-Lumsden

Want your child to try new food? Download my How To Get Your Kids To Eat Anything

Roasted Garlic Mash Recipe - Serves 4

3 cloves garlic, unpeeled
1 kg maris piper potatoes, peeled, chopped into even pieces
50g butter
100ml milk
100ml double cream
1 egg yolk (not essential but yummy to add if you have one)
1 heaped tsp Dijon or grainy mustard

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/ 160C Fan

2. Place the unpeeled garlic cloves onto a small baking tray, drizzle with oil and roast for 20-30 minutes or until soft. Remove from the oven and set aside until later.

3. Peel and chop the potatoes, place into a large pan of boiling, salted water and boil for 15 minutes or until tender.

4. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain and leave to dry for a minute or 2 but no longer. Pass the cooked potato through a ricer or mash with a masher. Quickly add the butter, milk, Dijon mustard and cream and beat together. Stir in the egg yolk and season well.

5. Squeeze the garlic from papery skins, discard the skin and add to the mash.