Is a potato ricer necessary to make potao dumplings?

[mandyky]

I don't have a food processor (or blender) or potato ricer. Can I just mash potatoes and add that to dumplings? I didn't even know for sure what a ricer was before I looked it up...

[The empressof all]

1. I use a food mill (same thing I guess....more functions)

I think that using the mill gives you a fluffy texture in potatoes which could be important to the overall outcome of the dumplings. If you Rice or use the food mill the dumplings would be fluffier.

If you mash the potatoes the dumplings would be far denser. If you used a processor or blender you run the risk of the potatoes getting gummy.

[mandyky]

2. I feel dumb, what is a food mill?

LOL

[The empressof all]

3. It's like a colander with a blade

It has different kinds of screens that you can push soft food through. They were used years ago to make baby food and apple sauce. I use mine for mashed potatoes as I really like the texture.

It's also good for pureeing tomatoes and some soups as it leaves some texture that gets lost in a blender.

They aren't expensive and I think a better alternative to a ricer which only does one thing.

[eyesroll]

5. I have both, and prefer the ricer for potatoes

But the food mill is better for just about anything else, including other root veggies.

(I also have a stick blender, which I prefer for soups, tomatoes and apple sauce...I have too many kitchen appliances.)

Oh, and on edit -- A food mill makes superior spaetzel.

[catnhatnh]

4. The Empress is correct....

ricing is about texture only, but it does make a difference...maybe you could enhance the texture by including the skin and coarse mashing or maybe by adding bacon bits or fine diced onion...the real idea is that dumplings,while delicious,tend to be a tad bland and varying the texture some was a way to increase the "mouth feel" and thus the enjoyment of the dish...