NOTE: I spend my Wednesdays Unplugged from appointments. It's my day to stay home, enjoy cooking and welcome our kids and grandkids for dinner in the evening. We end our meal with quotes from the Norwegian 'Quote Cup' passed on to me from my grandmother. I share a quote and a recipe here each week, and sometimes some photos of family fun. I love trying new recipes…and love getting recipes you would like to share!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." ~ William James
Last week was filled with both Christmas and New Year's, last Wednesday celebrating with Kennedy and over the weekend spending our last New Year's in Duluth with dear friends before they move down here to the Twin Cities in 2012. It felt strange having such a mild Christmas, got a little snow for New Year's… it is supposed to top 40 degrees again the next three days!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
We had a traditional Norwegian Christmas dinner with meatballs and mashed potatoes last week, and I tried a new recipe for do-ahead baked mashed potatoes from TastyKitchen.com. Most recipes call for sour cream, but I'm not a fan of sour cream with potatoes. This recipe uses more butter and half-and-half instead of the sour cream… they were the best I have ever had, very creamy!! Everyone talked about how good they were, even those who aren't mashed potato fans. I suspect this recipe will become a favorite!
BEST CREAMY BAKED MASHED POTATOES
- 5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
- 3/4 cups butter
- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup half-and-half
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Lawry's seasoned salt
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon black pepper
Peel and cut potatoes into pieces that are generally the same size. Boil in a large pot of water about 30-35 minutes, until a fork easily slides into the potatoes and they almost, but not totally, fall apart.
Drain the potatoes in a large colander and return to the dry pot. Put the pot back on the stove and mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing the steam to escape so they won't be mushy or mealy… about 3 minutes. Use a masher, not an electric mixer which can break down the starch in the potatoes making them gummy.
Turn off the heat and add 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) of butter and an 8-ounce package of cream cheese, both cut into pieces. Mash some more, then add half-and-half. Mash some more and add seasoned salt and pepper… then mash some more to thoroughly blend.
Place in medium-sized baking dish, top with a few pats of butter and heat in 350 degree oven until butter is melted and potatoes are warmed through.
NOTE: Can prepare a few days in advance. Take it out of the fridge 2-3 hours before serving time and bake in 350 degree oven about 20-30 minutes, until warmed through.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – Email – HomesMSP.com
RELATED POSTS
Nice informative blog, thanks for sharing.