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Mashed Potatoes

When I think of comfort food, mashed potatoes comes to mind.  Warm, buttery mashed potatoes..Mmmm.  Growing up, I don’t think my Dad ever made mashed potatoes without cheese – it was just not how it was done in our house.  Once I got married and made mashed potatoes for my husband, he commented that he never had them with cheese.  He liked them and though I offered to  make them without, if he preferred me too, my wonderful husband said keep the cheese!  Now, my girls have never been fond of my mashed potatoes and aren’t afraid to tell me so but they ate them anyway. One thing my husband doesn’t like is lumps in his mashed potatoes as I was used to using a potato masher.  I now use an electric mixer to make sure they are lump free.  What one does for love!

It never occurred to me to write a recipe for mashed potatoes – I mean  didn’t even know anyone who didn’t know how to make them, that is until my totally awesome best friend said she never made them from scratch until recently.  She said I needed to included in the blog. Well…ok!

Ingredients:

2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and quartered
2- 4 tablespoons butter
Up to 1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste
4 slices American cheese, OR 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)

Directions:
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 – 20 minutes.
I check with a fork, if it can be inserted easily, the potatoes are done.
When the potatoes are almost done, simmer the milk in a small saucepan till it’s warm.The key to creamy mashed potatoes is to have the milk warmed otherwise, you risk your potatoes becoming gummy.
Drain and return potatoes to pot. Place on burner (make sure burner is off) to allow the heat to dry the potatoes a moment or two.
Add the butter and cheese, cover and let melt.
Using a potato masher or electric hand mixer, slowly blend milk mixture into potatoes until smooth and creamy.
You may not use all the milk.  Add till the potatoes are the consistency you want.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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