Who doesn’t love potatoes? And mash potatoes is one of those comfort food that is easy to make and loved by all. But what happens if you accidentally added or spilled too much milk into your mash potatoes?
There’s no point crying over spilled milk I mean potatoes.
Here’s how to save your mash potatoes.
Add a thickening agent
If you accidentally poured too much milk into the potatoes, but you have not started mixing them together, you can still try to pour out and drain the excess milk.
However, if you have already mixed them together, only to realized there’s too much milk, the easiest thing to do is to add more potatoes to the mixture.
Or if you have any dry potato flakes, that will work as well. I don’t recommend adding flour or corn starch to it, unless you are plan to warm it again after adding. If not, it is going to taste a bit powdery.
Use heat to evaporate the excess milk
If you don’t have any thickening agent, the next best thing to to remove the milk using heat.
You can use a large shallow baking pan and spread out the mash potatoes. Put it in the oven under low heat. You can stir it every 30 mins. (depending on how watery your mash is). Remember to spread out the mash potato after stirring. Repeat this until you no longer see any liquid in your mash potatoes.
Alternatively, you can put your mash potatoes on the stove. Keep it on a very low heat as you don’t want the milk to curd and stir occasionally. You should evaporate the excess milk in no time.
You can also do the same in a microwave oven. Microwave for a min, stir, and repeat until you get the consistency you want.
What to do with runny mash potatoes?
1. Transforming into Potato Soup
A classic, and perhaps the most comforting solution, is converting those runny mashed potatoes into a warm and hearty potato soup. Start by sautéing some onions or leeks until they are translucent.
If you’re in the mood for an added touch of richness and flavor, sprinkle in some bacon bits. Once your base is ready, pour in your runny mash. Depending on the consistency you’re aiming for, you can add some stock to the mixture.
Let it simmer for a bit, and soon, you’ll have a delectable potato soup that can be your comfort food during the chilly winter months.
2. Potato Cakes
Another delightful transformation involves crafting potato cakes. Begin by adding an egg to your mashed potatoes to bind them together. A sprinkle of flour will help firm up the texture. Don’t forget to add chopped green onions for a burst of flavor.
Once your mixture is ready, shape them into small cakes and fry them until golden brown on both sides. These crispy delights are a treat to savor and will make you forget about your initial kitchen mishap.
3. Chowders and Other Creamy Delights
If you’re a seafood lover, using over-wet mashed potatoes in clam chowder or corn chowder can be an ingenious solution. The runny texture will blend seamlessly, enhancing the thickness of your chowder.
4. Stew Thickener
If you’re whipping up a hearty stew and need a thickener, remember those runny mashed potatoes. They can be an excellent addition, giving your stew a richer consistency and depth of flavor.
It’s an idea that might not immediately spring to mind, but once you try it, you’ll be tempted to incorporate it in your culinary repertoire.
How to prevent runny mash potatoes in the first place?
After boiling your potatoes, and before adding anything to your potatoes, make sure the potatoes are well drained and dry.
Then add the milk into the potato slowly, maybe a couple tablespoon of milk at a time and mix. Repeat until you get the desired consistency.
