The Epicure's Almanac or Diary of Good Living
August 10th : MASHED POTATOES
For a dish of mashed potatoes select those which are floury, peel and rub them through an earthen colander into a basin, carefully removing any specks or imperfections ; a quarter of an ounce of butter, and three table-spoonfuls of cream, or good milk , will be enough for half a pound of potatoes.
If you desire to send them to table brown, smear the surface with the yolk of an egg well beaten up, and put the dish close to the fire, or use a red hot salamander.