Grandma’s classic mashed potatoes: A taste of nostalgia
A traditional dinner at grandma's typically consisted of potatoes, meat, and a salad. This simple set offers many advantages—it effectively satisfies the appetite while ensuring a good supply of protein and vitamins. Sometimes, a cutlet was on the plate; other times, a stuffed cabbage roll. The salad could be made from white or red cabbage, or occasionally from leek or carrots. One element was always constant—creamy mashed potatoes with delicious fried onions.
26 November 2024 19:18
Our grandmothers often used the fat left in the pan, in which the meat had been fried, to drizzle over the potatoes. Most often, this involved pork chops or minced meat patties. They would toss finely chopped onions into this fat – assuming it wasn't burned. It was all done in one pan, making the process quick, practical, and economical.
How to make potatoes with onions?
The recipe is simple, but to replicate grandma’s taste, be careful not to burn the onions. They should be lightly browned, so the heat in the pan should not be too high. For frying, you can use clarified butter, canola oil mixed with a tablespoon of regular butter, or lard.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of potatoes,
- 1 large onion,
- 1 tablespoon of oil,
- 1 tablespoon of butter,
- salt, pepper to taste.
Recipe for mashed potatoes like grandma's:
- Peel and wash the potatoes, and place them to boil in salted water.
- Once they are soft, drain the water. You can use the potato water for other household tasks.
- Mash the potatoes using a potato masher.
- Heat oil in a pan. Add the finely chopped onion. While frying, add a tablespoon of butter.
- Add the onion and the fat to the potatoes when it is browned.
- Season the potatoes with onion, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix everything with a spoon.
Mashed potatoes with garnish – a quick dish with frozen stuffing for dumplings
If you have a supply of stuffing for dumplings in the freezer, you can also use this addition for mashed potatoes. Heat a portion of fried onions with bacon in the pan and add it to the purée.
Looking for a richer version? Add diced fried sausage to the garnish. Those who enjoy spicy dishes might opt for a bit of chili pepper or a sweet-spicy Thai-style sauce.
