Food - Drink
The Ingredient Giada De Laurentiis Adds For Perfect Mashed Potatoes
By KALEA MARTIN
No matter how you serve your mashed potatoes, from a simple topping of salt and butter to more substantial mix-ins, everyone has their own special ingredient. Stanly Tucci adds egg yolks and olive oil, Bobby Flay mixes in crème fraîche, and celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis has her own special ingredient for the classic dish.
In a post on her blog Giadzy, De Laurentiis shared that her secret ingredient in mashed potatoes is mascarpone, a spreadable Italian cheese normally used in tiramisu. “Mascarpone gives an incredibly rich, decadent texture,” De Laurentiis explained.
In addition to mascarpone, De Laurentiis adds chicken broth, garlic, Parmesan, and butter to her mashed potatoes to give them a rich flavor and creamy texture. To try this for yourself, add 1 cup of mascarpone per 4 pounds of potatoes, or for a less fatty (and less rich) option substitute crème fraîche, clotted cream, ricotta, or cream cheese instead of mascarpone.