BAKED MASHED POTATOES

If I had to eat one vegetable for the rest of my life...hands down, it would be potatoes. My mom's an Idaho girl, so there must be a little Idaho running through my veins, because I am in love with potatoes. I have never met a potato I didn't devour.

In my single days, living in Salt Lake, I used to cook all the time for my friends. We would have weekly Sunday dinners where everyone would come over eat and play games. This dish is probably one of my most famous among my friends. It's the ultimate Sunday comfort food and pairs well with just about anything.

I love to play with different spices, herbs, and cheeses in this dish and therefore have several variations up my sleeve. This particular recipe I consider the classic version. Over time I'll post some of the different versions I've come to love.


BAKED MASHED POTATOES - Classic Style
(Mindi Original)

This dish is supposed to serve about 6 people, but if you like potatoes as much as we do around here...it may only serve 4.

2-3 lbs. potatoes, cubed
½ onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, smashed
2 t. Salt
¼ C. butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
½ C. sour cream
¼ C. milk
1 C. Italian blend shredded cheese
½ t. black pepper
¼ t. nutmeg
½ - 1 C. Panko bread crumbs

1. Place cubed potatoes, onion, garlic, and salt in a large stock pot. Fill with water until potatoes are just covered. Cook until potatoes are fork tender.
2. Drain water, be sure not to drain off the onion or garlic.
3. With a hand masher, mash potatoes until smooth but still a little lumpy.
4. Add butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and milk. Continue to mash until the all ingredients are incorporated.
5. Stir in shredded cheese, pepper and nutmeg.
6. Spoon potatoes into a 10 inch (or 9x13) baking dish.
7. Sprinkle Panko bread crumbs on top.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly around the edges. For the last 3-5 minutes of baking, turn on your broiler to brown the bread crumbs.

(You can prepare the potatoes ahead of time and refrigerate until it’s time to bake, however, be sure to increase the bake time to 20-30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges.)