Earthy Mashed Potatoes

Directions

1. 1.

   Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F.

2. 2.

   Wrap each potato in foil, then prick potatoes through foil several times with a fork. Bake potatoes until tender, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

3. 3.

   Heat milk, butter, salt, and white pepper in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until butter is melted.

4. 4.

   While milk mixture heats, unwrap baked potatoes and, while still hot (use a kitchen towel to protect your hands or hold potatoes with tongs), pull off skin with a paring knife or halve unpeeled potatoes and scoop out flesh with a spoon, transferring it to a bowl. Discard skin.

5. 5.

   Force hot potatoes through ricer into hot milk mixture in pan and gently stir with a large heatproof rubber spatula just until combined.