On a lazy Saturday night, just before the credits rolled and I curled up into the cosiness of my bed for the night, I heard something profound. It was a utterance that really pulled at all of my heartstrings, so much so that I instantly had to scribble down this beautiful piece of Nigella ramblings.
“… there are times when only mashed potato will do.” – Nigella Lawson
Mashed potato reminds me of my Mum and of my childhood funnily enough. I make my mashed potatoes the same way she does and maybe the same way all Mum’s do. Boil potato, drain, mash, add nobs of butter (or low fat olive oil spread as I have resorted to now), mash some more, salt, pepper, milk and mix with a spoon until you get a creamy consistency.
From time to time I will go all out and add finely diced onion (again learnt from my Mum) or serve myself a rather large plate of just mashed potato, drizzled with olive oil and with a side of peas fresh from the tin. This is my favorite and always reminds me of home.
There is a warmth and a comfort in mashed potatoes and it goes without saying that when days haven’t gone to plan and I am feeling more than frazzled, I stop and think to myself also that ‘only mashed potato will do’.
Mashed potato goes on the list to be one of my all time favourite foods for Reminiscing, a real memory provoker.
It makes me remember that as a child I use to love getting the perfect combination of peas to mashed potato. I would flatten the mound of mashed potatoes on my plate and place the peas on top. Every fork full was calculated to ensure pure bliss. Mash potato is home for me.
Well done Nigella, you have given me so many wonderful recipes and now a quote to live by.
I would love to hear more mashed potato memories if you have any….
Heart,
Lin
