Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Not your average mashed potatoes
As we know, I have always loved potatoes, but over the holiday, I missed making my own. So, I figured better late than never! A note about this dish, taste and adjust because we all have our preferences of what we like and don’t like. I also like the skins of my potatoes in the dish, but if that’s not for you, peel them.
Ingredients:
6 Small Red Potatoes (2 lbs or so, which was entirely too much for 1 person)
3 Heaping (Really Heaping) Tblspns Butter
3-4 Cloves Garlic (I added a garlic confit that I had in the refridgerator. Let sit out for about an hour before using)
1/3 Cup Whole Milk
1/4 Cup Sour Cream
1/4 Cup Cheddar
4 Tblspns Chives
1 1/2 Tblspns Parsley
1/4 Cup Chopped Bacon
5 Tblspns Salt - 2 Tblspns Salt (for boiling), 3 Tspns Salt (for seasoning the potatoes before mashing)
1 1/2 Tblspn Black Pepper
Instructions:
1. Cut your potatoes into 6ths or 8ths, depending on the size of the potato. The smaller the pieces, the quicker they cook.
2. Get a pot of water, add the potatoes and salt and starting boiling. Some people like the water to be boiling when they add the potatoes... I think you are asking for a burn doing that.
3. Once the potatoes have been boiling for about 20 minutes, start to check on them. You want them to be fork tender. The softer they are the easier they will mash.
4. Once they are done, strain and add them to the mixer. I like to use a mixer because it works well and I’m lazy, but use whatever method you like for them.
5. Once the potatoes are added, add all your seasonings, milk, and butter in the bowl. Mix on a slow stir for about 30 seconds then increase to a more intense stir for about 2-5 minutes depending on the texture you like and mixer you have. Scrape the sides with a spoon or spatula so everything gets mixed well. Taste the dish when it’s mixed and make adjustments according to your taste.
6. If your potatoes get too cool in the mixer, you can spread them out in a buttered pan and keep them on low in the oven or use a slow cooker to keep them warm while you make other parts of your meal.
Once everything is ready, top with a few spare chives and bacon bits and dig in!
