Cooking for nine people. How many potatoes?.

[scout]

I'm cooking prime rib and mashed potatoes for nine people. I'll ask the butcher how big the prime rib should be (unless some of you have input!) but I have no idea how many potatoes to boil for mashed potatoes. Ditto for the sweet potatoes. Help!

[apoppy]

I think the rule of thumb is one medium-sized potato per person and one for the pot. So you need 10 potatoes.

[scout]

Thanks!

[Janey]

I would say about 8 oz. of potato per person. 6 oz. of raw potato is one vegetable serving... and they fluff if you make Mashed... but some people might really love mashed potato & want extra. ;)

[Whitters20]

I'd also say that 10 medium size would be fine. If you know you have a lot of heavy eaters, maybe up it to 12. I usually allow one larger siize potato per person and we do fine.

[wine_o_girlie]

I would cook 8 medium potatoes because I am sure you are having other sides. Unless you want a lot of leftovers, which could be a very good thing. :)

Have you tried buttermilk in your mashed potatoes? It's great that way and just a bit different.

[bethnjim]

I normally do 5lbs for my family when they call come over and they go pretty quickly. It just depends on how many other sides you are having too!

[Jenean]

I used a 5 lb bag for 10 people at Thanksgiving and had a big container of leftovers. One potato per person is probably a good measure.