Mashed Potatoes - Linderhof's way

It's always fun to participate in Foodie Friday hosted by Designs by Gollum. Do visit and see the other delicious dishes offered forthe St. Patrick's Potluck Foodie Friday.


When one thinks of Ireland one always thinks of the potato. Nothing is as good or as simple or as homey as mashed potatoes. Real mashed potatoes. They're easy for you cook them with the skins on and the lovely skins just add to the dish. And what better dish for a St. Patrick's Potluck than a potato dish!

A casserole of potatoes enough to feed a crowd or a small army. The great thing about this recipe is that it is make ahead. You can even do it the day before and bake them to piping hot just before your meal. There is a basic recipe. A "little black dress" of a recipe that can be dressed up or down to suit your needs. For this particular casserole, I melted the stick of butter and infused it with garlic. You can add rosemary, cheeses, bacon, green onion. Whatever you like in or on a potato. It's that versatile!

To gild the lily, we often sprinkle it with fresh garden chives before we take it to the table.

And . . . any leftovers can be heated with some chicken stock and some half and half to make the best potato soup.

The recipe is simple and can be adjusted many ways.

Linderhof Mashed Potatoes
(The Basic Recipe)

5 pounds of potatoes (red, baby red or yukon gold), unpeeled
1 stick of butter
8 ounces sour cream
8 ounce package cream cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Boil potatoes with the skin on until cooked through. Drain water. Mash potatoes with a hand masher. (You want them pureed but not whipped). Add butter, sour cream, cream cheese. Stir until everything is mixed well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour into a casserole, cover and refrigerate. Reheat in casserole dish at 350 for about 45 minutes.

Variations:

Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Melt butter, add 2 cloves minced garlic and let garlic infuse butter. Pour butter into potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese. Mix well.

Rosemary Mashed Potatoes: Add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary when you add butter, sour cream and cream cheese.

Parmesan Mashed Potatoes: Add 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese when you add butter, sour cream, cream cheese.

Loaded Mashed Potatoes: Add 1 cup Cheddar cheese, about 3 strips bacon that has been cooked and crumbled, 4 green onions that have been chopped -- both white and green when you add butter, sour cream and cheese cheese.