Mashed Potatoes for the Holiday Table

New Ideas for a Old Classic:

Who doesn’t love masked potatoes. Unfortunately mashed potatoes on a holiday table just do not seem special. So here are a couple of reductions that can be folded into your mashed potatoes that welcome mashed potatoes into that special menu. Ratios below are for three pounds of mashed potatoes. Cut and simmer slowly for approx. 20 minutes, or until tender. Whatever potato you use,red or Idaho, leave the skin on. While simmering prepare one of the mixtures below.

Garlic Herb: In a sauce pan add one stick of unsalted butter, six cloves of chopped garlic, one minced shallot, one tbsp. of chopped basil, and one tsp. of chopped fresh oregano and Italian parsley. (Ground black pepper to taste) When butter is melted, simmer for another four minutes then add 10 oz of half and half. Fold into the mashed potatoes and serve You can garnish with additional fresh herbs if you like.

Sage and Rosemary: Six leaves of chopped sage, one tsp. of fresh chopped Rosemary, two cloves of chopped garlic, and one tbsp of chopped shallot. Added to one stick of melted butter and simmer for four minutes. Then add 10 oz of half and half, and pepper to taste. Fold into your mashed mix.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme: One tbsp of chopped parsley, four chopped sage leaves, one tsp. of fresh chopped Rosemary, the leaves from two stems of thyme, one clove of chopped garlic, and one chopped shallot. Added to one stick of melted butter. Simmer four minutes, then add 10 oz of half and half. Fold into your mashed mix.

For healthier versions lower in saturated fat.

Replace the butter with a healthier margarine or olive oil.

Replace the half and half with evaporated skim milk or one of the new fat free milk products your supermarket carries. Both the evaporated skim milk and the fat free milk products, have a similar appearance and texture as does the half and half.

All of the above versions can be served with a side of gravy or an additional butter herb reduction above, only leave out the half and half.

For an extra kick, all of the above ideas can have a 1/2 cup of shredded Cheddar Cheese folded into the mix.