Mashed Russet Potatoes
Classic, creamy mashed potatoes — easy to make, easier to eat. Not everything needs Mediterranean points; sometimes we just cook what we love.
Serves: 6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup whipping cream (or milk for a lighter version)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for the water)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Chopped chives or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the potatoes:
Peel and cut russets into even pieces so they cook uniformly. Rinse briefly to remove excess starch. - Boil:
Place in a large pot and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until a fork slides in easily — about 12–15 minutes. - Drain & dry:
Drain potatoes thoroughly and return to the warm pot for 1–2 minutes to let steam escape — this step keeps them fluffy. - Mash:
Mash with butter and olive oil until smooth. Add cream gradually, stirring until you reach the desired texture. - Season:
Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Garnish with herbs or a drizzle of olive oil.
Nutrition & Culinary Medicine Notes
Russet potatoes are pure comfort food — rich in potassium and vitamin C, but they don’t earn Mediterranean Diet points because they rank high on the glycemic scale. That’s okay. Celebrations are part of health too, and food is culture as much as chemistry.
This version balances indulgence and intention: a little butter for tradition, olive oil for heart-healthy fats, and cream for texture. What you skip in “points,” you gain in joy and balance.
Mediterranean Diet Points
0 points — potatoes don’t count toward Mediterranean vegetable or legume servings.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: ~210
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 220mg
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 3g
Simple, comforting, and honest — because sometimes mashed potatoes are the medicine.