Mashed potatoes are my kids\u2019 absolute favorite meal. They ask for it almost every day. Well, I\u2019d rather give them vegetables and greens, but what can I say, they are very stubborn with their food choices. So, if I want them to eat well, I have to make mashed potatoes a few times a week. It\u2019s not just my kids who are crazy about it; me and my husband love mashed potatoes too! We often brainstorm how we can make it more delicious. Scrolling through Instagram and TikTok\u2014embarrassingly often\u2014I stumbled across a tip from a TikToker named Jourdyn, who goes by the handle @jeauxp. I thought, \u201cWhat more can you do to mashed potatoes?\u201d But apparently, there\u2019s a lot more.<\/p>\n
According to Jourdyn, the secret ingredient is\u2026 chicken stock! (or broth, doesn\u2019t really matter). I could never have thought of that on my own. Usually, my recipe was pretty standard: boil the potatoes in water and salt, mash them up with butter and milk, and that\u2019s it. But Jourdyn introduced me to a whole new world of flavors.<\/p>\n
She starts by not peeling the potatoes. Yes, you read that right\u2014she keeps the skins on! She believes that the skins not only add texture but also nutrients. After thoroughly washing them, she rubs avocado oil on the outside of her potato skins, cuts them in halves, and places them in a pot. Then comes her twist: instead of just water, she uses a mix of chicken stock and water, adds a pinch of salt, and lets them boil.<\/p>\n
Why does it taste so good? I was skeptical, but the curiosity got the better of me. So, one evening, I decided to give Jourdyn\u2019s method a try. I followed her steps: rubbed avocado oil on the skins, used chicken broth (I didn\u2019t have stock), and waited anxiously for the results.<\/p>\n
source: Flickr
\nAfter boiling, I drained the potatoes while reserving some of the cooking liquid for mashing. If you\u2019re boiling potatoes anyway, don\u2019t toss the water \u2014 here\u2019s how to make the most of boiled potato water and put every drop to good use! Then, I mashed the potatoes, skins and all, with a bit of butter, a splash of the reserved broth, and a generous helping of black pepper. The result? The flavors were incredible! The broth added a subtle umami that water simply couldn\u2019t match, and the skins provided a delightful, rustic texture.<\/p>\n
My kids, usually sticklers for the usual creamy texture, were intrigued by the slightly chunky feel. And my husband, who is a die-hard fan of traditional mashed potatoes, asked me, \u201cWhat did you do differently? These are amazing!\u201d Suffice to say, the new recipe was a roaring success.<\/p>\n
source: Flickr
\nEncouraged by this success, I started experimenting more. Inspired by another TikTok user, @potatolover97, I added a dollop of sour cream and some chopped chives to the next batch for extra tang and a punch of color. The tang of the sour cream paired wonderfully with the richness of the potatoes, turning our humble dinner side dish into the star of the meal.<\/p>\n
source: Natasha\u2019s Kitchen
\nThrough my TikTok-inspired journey, I\u2019ve learned that mashed potatoes don\u2019t have to be mundane. They can be a canvas for culinary creativity. From mixing in roasted garlic and parmesan to a bold splash of truffle oil for special occasions, the possibilities are endless.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve also been more open to trying other TikTok cooking hacks, like adding a pinch of nutmeg to spinach for an unexpected flavor lift, or using a slice of bread to quickly soften brown sugar. These little tips and tricks have not only improved my cooking but made me realize that sometimes, scrolling through social media can lead to some genuinely useful discoveries.<\/p>\n
source: Pexels
\nSo, the next time you\u2019re planning to make mashed potatoes, consider leaving the skins on, swapping water for chicken stock, and maybe, just maybe, scroll through TikTok for a little culinary inspiration. Who knows? You might just stumble upon your next favorite recipe, just like I did. And if you\u2019re anything like me and my family, you\u2019ll instantly go crazy about it!<\/p>\n