Creamy and Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Adapted from: Olive Juice's Twice Baked Taters


Ingredients:

5-pound bag of red potatoes
1/2 lb. bacon (optional)
1 (8oz) package of cream cheese
Half cup heavy cream or buttermilk
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheese
1 tablespoon roasted garlic, mashed
4 tbsp butter, softened
Snipped fresh chives, parsley, scallions or cilantro (optional)
Salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper


Directions:

Put potatoes in a pan with half tsp salt and just enough cold water to cover them.

Bring to a boil and cook at a moderate boil for 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are easily pieced with a fork but not falling apart.

While the potatoes are cooking, slice the bacon into pieces and fry. Fry until crisp, drain on paper towels, and set aside.

Meanwhile, warm cream cheese and cream/milk together a saucepan until steaming hot (do not boil).

Drain potatoes and return to pan.

Turn heat to high, shake pan for about 30 seconds, until water evaporates. Remove the pan from the heat and then it's time to mash.

Beat or mash the sour cream and grated cheese into the potatoes.

Add the cheese mixture into the potatoes a half cup at a time and the butter a tablespoon at a time.

Check after adding approximately three quarters of the liquid to see if you have the consistency and richness you want.

Mash in the garlic and stir in the bacon.

Add more liquid, if desired and season to taste with salt & pepper.

Garnish with snipped herbs, if desired.


This recipe is also linked to...

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This month we're on the hunt for the ULTIMATE MASHED POTATO recipe. Check out the what we've come up with and place your votes...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

These look so tasty! I'm # 37 Princess Potatoes in the challenge! I love the design of your site too! So cute!

Lisa~~ said...

This recipe sounds like creamy, cheesy deliciousness.

If you haven't already I'd love for you to check out my Crazy Cooking Challenge entry Aloo Tikki

Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook

Miz Helen said...

I love the combination of the Buttermilk and cheese, yum! Great recipe for the Crazy Cooking Challenge, it looks delicious! Hope you are having a great day.
Miz Helen
#8

Desi said...

Yum yum in my tum tum. I bet that buttermilk makes them very creamy. Great pick!

I'm #71 :)

http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com/2011/11/crazy-cooking-challenge-and-loaded.html

Teri said...

Cream cheese, garlic, buttermilk~ what could be better? Great recipe! Thanks!

Jennifer said...

You had me at cheesy!
And I love the design of your blog!

Jen #14
Jenny's Cookbook

Kristen said...

Wonderful sounding potatoes. I have such a weakness for them.

I am taking over the Improv Challenge since Sheryl has left blogging. If you want to continue, please send me an email: frugalantics (at)yahoo(dot) com to let me know. Hope to hear from you!