Mashed potatoes are the perfect partner to rich beef stews, slow-cooked lamb shanks, roast chicken and hearty casseroles.

There are few side dishes as comforting as a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes.

In winter, it is the perfect partner to rich beef stews, slow-cooked lamb shanks, roast chicken and hearty casseroles.

Yet despite being one of the simplest dishes to make, mashed potatoes can easily go wrong. Lumps, gluey textures and bland flavour are common kitchen disappointments.

The good news is that achieving silky, smooth mashed potatoes is not complicated.