In cooking, the name of many dishes is directly related to the way they are prepared. So, for example, “pounded” is a product that has a puree look. He got such an unusual name because to prepare a boiled vegetable, it is necessary to crush it using special devices until it turns into a lush, homogeneous mass. How to make a “crush” and what is needed to make it really tasty?
Simplest option
Any hostess can tell how to make a crush. True, each for this has its own special recipe. Nevertheless, there is the simplest standard algorithm, according to which a similar process consists of the following steps:
- First you need to wash and peel the potatoes.
- After this, the fruits must be cooked by adding a little salt at the very end.
- Then the water must be drained.
- Then the potatoes should be softened in any convenient way.
- Introduce additional ingredients.
- Shrink again to make the mixture as homogeneous as possible. If the mass is dry, then it can be diluted by adding a little liquid.
Performing all of the above steps step by step, you can easily figure out how to make a “crush”. Numerous recipes for this popular dish differ from each other, mainly by the list of additional components. With their help, the product acquires a certain taste and unique aroma. The main addition for potatoes is butter. Usually it is added at the rate of 100 grams per 0.5 kilograms of the main product. As a result, the puree becomes soft, delicate and acquires a pleasant creamy taste.
National features
Different peoples have their own idea of what mashed potatoes should be like. This is due to many years of national traditions and habits. For example, the French have their own opinion on how to make a “crush”. To do this, they need to have:
800 grams - potatoes a glass of whole milk, 3 tablespoons of grain mustard, 8 sprigs of tarragon and 150 milliliters of fat sour cream.
The cooking method in this case is very similar to the standard version:
- First of all, peeled potatoes must be cooked by putting it in a pot of water.
- At this time, leaves of tarragon should be torn off the leaves and chopped finely.
- When ready, drain the potatoes and mash the boiled vegetables themselves in mashed potatoes. Usually a special pusher is used for this.
- Add the remaining components according to the recipe and salt, focusing on your own taste.
Then the products must be mixed again. Only after that, the “crush” can be eaten.
Popular way
To have an idea of real puree, you need to know how to make a “crush” with milk. This component after butter is considered the most important. It is with its help that it is possible to obtain a soft and delicate finished product. Of the many recipes for this, the best option is the one in which there are:
500 grams of potatoes, 100 milliliters of milk (or cream), salt, 30 grams of butter and 1 raw chicken egg.
Making mashed potatoes is not difficult. To do this:
- Peel potatoes. Large specimens are best cut into pieces.
- Boil water separately in a saucepan.
- Dip the prepared vegetables into it and add a little salt. Water should not completely cover the product. Excess amount is better to drain.
- After boiling again slightly reduce the heat. Cooking time, as a rule, is from 20 to 30 minutes.
- When ready, water should be drained, and oil should be put in hot potatoes.
- Mix foods well and then knead them using a crush.
- Add pre-warmed milk and continue whisking.
- Without stopping the process, add the beaten egg.
Now mashed potatoes can be considered completely ready for use.
A worthy replacement
Not always the right products are at hand. Therefore, we must be prepared for different situations and clearly know, for example, how to make a “crush” without milk. In this case, you will need:
1.2 kilograms of potatoes - 1 onion, one and a half teaspoons of salt, 2 bay leaves and 4 tablespoons of mayonnaise.
Everything is done very simply:
- First, the potatoes must be peeled and put in a pan. Large tubers need to be cut so that they can boil better.
- Pour the vegetables with water and put on fire.
- There, immediately put a whole onion.
- After boiling add salt and laurel leaves.
- As soon as the tubers are boiled, the water should be poured out, leaving only 1 cup of liquid. Onions and leaves can be thrown away. They will not be needed anymore.
- With the rhythmic movements of the pusher, knead the potatoes so that there are no lumps left in it.
- Add mayonnaise and continue vigorous stirring.
Ready mashed potatoes will be an excellent side dish for almost any hot dish.
Perfect mashed potatoes
A good housewife to replenish their culinary experience should know several options for how to make a delicious “crush”. After all, in life you need to be prepared for various surprises. For example, there is a recipe that allows you to make mashed potatoes simply unique. To work, you will need:
5 potatoes, much salt, olive oil, onion, ground pepper and coriander.
Mashed potatoes are prepared in three stages:
- First, the potatoes must be washed, and then boiled in the usual way.
- Separately, fry the onion chopped in cubes in olive oil in a pan. At the very end, add pepper, coriander and a little salt. You must be very careful with each of these ingredients, since an excessive amount of even one of them can ruin everything.
- Combine both components and mix them well.
- Crush potatoes with fry.
Such a fragrant “pound” is perfect as a side dish for fish cooked in any way. And to make it as airy as possible, it is better to use a mixer or a hand blender for mixing.