Give Your Mashed Potatoes Personality This Thanksgiving

OLEAN, N.Y., Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The minute you spot them from across the table you've got to have them because, let's face it, you're in love with mashed potatoes. You're not alone. It seems the rest of the country is involved in the same love affair. So much so that statistics show that Americans eat 120-plus pounds of potatoes annually.

This Thanksgiving, the experts at CUTCO Cutlery, the largest manufacturer of high-quality kitchen cutlery in North America, are sharing with you all the tools and tips to make melt-in-your mouth mashed potatoes that the family will be asking for every night.

"There's no question that mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving side dish favorite," said Kathleen Donovan, coordinator of public relations for CUTCO Cutlery. "Whether you like yours traditional or you like experimenting with flavors, mashed potatoes are always a holiday crowd pleaser."

Focus on flavors and, above all, be armed with all the tools you'll need:

• Vegetable Peeler – Choose one with a comfortable grip and sharp, double-sided blade.
• Potato Masher – A sturdy, stainless-steel masher is key to smooth and creamy potatoes.
• 4" Paring Knife – Sharp, reliable paring knives are a must.
• Chef's/Santoku Knife – You'll need these chef stand-bys for smooth slicing and dicing.
• Large Poly Prep Cutting Board – Choose edge-friendly, poly propylene cutting boards.
• Stock Pot – You'll need a large pot that cooks evenly

CUTCO's Culinary Advisory Board members Susan Goss from Chicago, Abigail Johnson Dodge in Connecticut and Judith Forting in St. Louis, have shared mashed potato tips and tricks you've always wanted to get your hands on. In fact, you won't want to wait for Thanksgiving to taste test their ideas.

"Mashed potatoes are universally loved," said Susan Goss, Culinary Advisory Board member and Chicago restaurateur. "There is nothing you can put on the table that will be eaten faster than mashed potatoes."

At Susan's restaurant, West Town Tavern in Chicago, mashed potatoes are a core side dish. The ingredients are simple: Russet potatoes, "a little" garlic, cream, butter, salt and pepper. This recipe is featured in her soon-to-be-released cookbook, "West Town Tavern: Contemporary Comfort Food."

Explore more mashed potato musings from CUTCO Cutlery at http://www.cutco.com/mashed-potatoes.

SOURCE CUTCO Cutlery