Mash potato in a food processor?

Mrs_Bones

This is going to make me sound really lazy, but can you mash potatos in a food processor?

I'm struggling mashing potatos at the moment because of arthritis and I want to batch make some cottage pies, but I don't want to cook aload of potatos and then they go to musy if you see what I mean in a processor.

Beccatje

No I wouldn't do that.

I've done it mind you but it wasn't a succes.

Because of the speed of the food processor, you destroy the structure of the potato and end up with a gloop reminding you of wallpaper paste.

You could try a slow kneading with a dough hook though. I've never tried that. Just thought of that now.

anguk

I've never used a processor but I do often mash them using a hand blender (the cheapy type you use to mix cakes) on a slowish speed, it makes the mash nice and creamy without going mushy.

Pretani

ends up like gloop.

buy yourself one of these

Beebop

The starch in potatoes mean that you should never mash them with anything other than a potato masher or a potato ricer - as others have stated it turns them into gloop.
Other veggies i.e. parsnips etc are fine to mash using a hand blender etc

morganlefay

Mash in a fp is like wallpaper paste, BUT having said that I just had an e mail today from the people who do Magimix spares saying they now have an accessory which will do mash, baby food etc. There wasn't a picture so I don't know what it would be like. BUT some years ago I watched a Delia where she did mash with a hand-held electric beater - using the blades you'd use for egg white etc - to make mash. She just squidged it a bit with the power off, then added milk, butter s&p etc etc and beat it. It works wonderfully - I never do it any other way and my family go on about how nice my mash is, and I have not to make it too often or we hoover it all up like greedy piglets. It looks lumpy to start with but keep going - add a bit more milk if necessary (I add olive oil sometimes) and yum, the fluffiest mash with no aching hands ! How we would miss Delia if she didn't exist......

Patchwork_Quilt

Have done it with my trusty Kenwood hand mixer before but on slow, with added milk and butter.

Mrs_Bones

Thanks everyone. I'd got a feeling it might just go wrong in a food processor. I never thought of my hand mixer, I'll give that ago.

I have looked at the potato ricers in the past, but wondered if they would be hard to push down.

newleaf

Mrs_Bones wrote: »

I have looked at the potato ricers in the past, but wondered if they would be hard to push down.

They are easy providing the potato is properly cooked, and I agree it is probably your best solution - a ricer does make lovely, lump free mash

chickaroonee

I think Delia swears by using an electric hand mixer.

LilacLillie

I also have bad hands, carpal tunnel, and have had a potato ricer for years.
They can be a bit hard to push down if the potato isn't well cooked, but on the whole are very good.
I would suggest buying one you can 'feel'. I bought another for my second home and it almost cuts my hand however soft the potato!
I think I got the first one from Lakeland and the second from Ikea, price was pretty much the same as well.
I noticed last week Tchibo had some in stock for (I think) £7, but I didn't think to take it out of the box because I wasn't looking for one then.
Might take a look if they still have them to replace the one I don't like now.
LL