[header] How to prepare mashed potatoes [title] Peel the potatoes. [step] After you wash the potatoes thoroughly under cool water, use a sharp knife or a potato peeler to peel off the skin. You can also keep the skin on yukon gold or red skin potatoes, if you like, but baking potatoes should be peeled. 
[title] Boil the potatoes in a large pot of water. [step] First, boil the water by itself, adding a pinch of salt.