The perfect mashed potatoes are a study in technique. Sure, they may only require a scant number of ingredients (all of which happen to be humble, affordable pantry staples), but they are so much ...

That is taught in culinary schools, it's taught to kids when they learn how to make mashed potatoes. We are going to break that rule. This recipe starts with boiling water and thinly sliced potatoes.

It takes about 12 minutes [to cook the potatoes thoroughly.] Now, 12 minutes to cook potatoes for mashed potatoes is lightning fast. If you had chunks in cold water and you were heating it up ...