If you have guests for dinner, you certainly don't want to serve a hard, cold, sticky puree. Of course, it may happen that the result is not the best, but this article will help you make a good impression. In fact, there are several methods that will allow you to keep it soft and creamy for several hours while preparing it in advance.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using a Slow Cooker
Step 1. Prepare everything you need
Those with a slow cooker have the option to keep the mashed hot all day. You will need the following ingredients: a tablespoon of butter, two or three tablespoons of cooking cream and ready-made mashed potatoes.
Do not use this technique to reheat a cold mashed potato. This is an effective method only for keeping a freshly cooked puree warm
Step 2. Set the pot to low and place some butter on the bottom
Spread it with a wooden spoon to grease the entire surface well. Then, sprinkle in the cooking cream.
You don't have to wait for the butter to melt completely. Slow cookers need time to heat up
Step 3. Once the base has been prepared, place the cooked mashed potatoes on top of it
Make sure the pot is set to low and put the lid on.
Step 4. Leave the puree in the pot for about four hours
Stir it well every hour to make sure it doesn't stick to the bottom.
Step 5. When it's time to serve the potatoes, move them to a large decorative bowl
Beat the mashed potatoes with a fork and place the bowl on a table mat.
Method 2 of 3: Using the Oven
Step 1. Consider the possible risks
The oven is often used to keep food warm. However, it tends to dry out mashed potatoes. However, it is possible to prevent this from happening: just make the right preparations.
Step 2. Use two bowls
The steam helps keep mashed potatoes soft and creamy. In this regard, you need two bowls, one for the purée and one large enough to easily contain the container of the purée (and the respective lid).
Before proceeding, also make sure that the bowls can be placed in the oven
Step 3. Heat a cup of water in the microwave or on the stove
At this point, pour it into the large bowl. Insert the purée bowl into it and make sure the water does not overflow.
Step 4. Prepare the bowls, bake them at 90 ° C
You can lower the temperature, the important thing is that it is not below 65 ° C. This technique allows you to keep the puree warm for only an hour.
Check the puree after 30 minutes to make sure the method works
Step 5. Serve the puree
Take it out of the oven and beat it with a fork. If you need to keep it warm for longer, cover it with a warm, damp cloth.
The cloth allows you to keep it warm for another 20 minutes. Before using it, make sure it is clean
Method 3 of 3: Using a Pot and Steam Action
Step 1. Prepare everything you need
To use this technique, you'll need a large saucepan, a heat-resistant bowl, and pre-cooked mashed potatoes. Remember that this method doesn't allow you to keep it warm as long as a slow cooker.
Step 2. Pour some water into the pot about a quarter full
Bring it to a boil, then lower the temperature to low.
Step 3. Move the puree to a heat resistant bowl
Put the bowl in the pot.
Step 4. Cover the puree using a lid or sheet of aluminum foil
Make sure you keep the flame to a minimum.
Step 5. Let the water simmer
This technique keeps the mashed hot for up to two hours, but stir it every 20 minutes and keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't dry out (in which case a crust will form or discolour).
Step 6. Serve the puree
When it comes time to serve it, remove the bowl from the pot, beat it with a fork and bring it to the table: you will see that it will be hot and creamy.
