Classic Mashed Potatoes Five Ways

Weekly Features Highlights: Virtual Cookbook Harvesting Vegetables Sassy Salsas Bushels of Beans Easy Snacks for Busy Kids Back to School Breakfasts - Quick and Easy Beating the Breakfast Rush Hour Lunch Smiles Ask The WebChef Freebies and Fun Stuff by Kim Tilley Editor of Frugal-Moms.com Serves: 6 to 8 5 pounds potatoes, peeled, sliced 1/4-inch thick 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened 3/4 cup milk 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon black pepper Place the potatoes in a large soup pot and add just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until tender; drain well and place in a large bowl. Add the remaining ngredients and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately. Variation 1: Garlic Mashed Potatoes Add a small onion, quartered, and 10 peeled, whole garlic cloves to the pot along with the potatoes before bringing to a boil; beat with the remaining ingredients. Variation 2: Cheddar Potato Casserole Beat 1 finely chopped onion along with the other ingredients. Coat a 9- by 13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon the potatoes into the casserole dish and sprinkle with 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese; pour 1 1/2 cups heavy cream over the top. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until heated through and the edges are golden. Variation 3: Loaded Mashed Potatoes Prepare Classic Mashed Potatoes, reducing the milk to 1/4 cup and the salt to 1/2 teaspoon. Add a 16-ounce container of sour cream, 1 cup finely shredded Colby or sharp Cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup real bacon bits, and 1 thinly sliced scallion. Beat as directed above. Variation 4: Red Mashed Potatoes Prepare the Classic Mashed Potatoes, reducing the milk to 1/4 cup. Add two well-drained 15-ounce cans of sliced beets. Beat as directed above. Variation 5: Green Mashed Potatoes Prepare the Classic Mashed Potatoes, then add two 10-ounce packages of frozen chopped spinach that have been thawed, drained, and squeezed dry. Beat as directed above. © Copyright 1999-2000 Frugal-Moms.com Inc. Back---> About the Author: Kim Tilley, a tightwad at heart, is the mother of three active boys and the founding editor of Frugal-Moms.com. Frugal by force and later by choice, Kim cut her income by 60% to stay at home with her children and discovered that anyone can live better for less. Her work has appeared in print publications such as The Tightwad Gazette. In her free time, she entertains herself by chasing kids and finding ways to create something from nothing! Mail this article to a friend (or yourself) You will be returned to this page after your mail has been sent. Your email address Your Name To email address