Creamy Mashed Potatoes

There’s been quite a delay in posting recipes this past year! This is one that I made as a Thanksgiving side, and the problem with it is that it was SO good that it may have ruined regular mashed potatoes for me. The secret is that instead of cooking the potatoes in water, you cook them in half-and-half, which makes them extra creamy – and since you rice them, the texture is perfect! It is from Real Simple; the amounts below make 8 generous servings.

4 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-in. pieces (about 10 cups)
4 cups lactose-free half-and-half (or half lactose-free milk and half lactose-free cream)
5 tsp. kosher salt, divided
½ cup (1 stick) lactose-free butter, melted
½ cup lactose-free sour cream
freshly ground black pepper

Place potatoes, half-and-half, and 2 teaspoons salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover, and cook, stirring often, until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 12 to 15 minutes. Carefully drain mixture into a colander placed over a large heatproof bowl. Reserve cooking liquid in bowl.

Working in batches, transfer potatoes to a potato ricer; press over saucepan. Stir butter and the 3 remaining teaspoons of salt into potatoes. Fold in sour cream and enough cooking liquid to reach desired consistency. (Reserve any leftover cooking liquid for reheating.)

Serve topped with melted butter, if desired, and pepper.