Taters for Two

So I cheated a little tonight... prepackaged pot roast, canned beans and canned pineapple. But I redeemed myself by making homemade mashed potatoes... mmmmm. If you can make one really good homemade side, it really saves an otherwise ordinary meal. I didn't have a recipe, I kinda made this one up, so all the measurements are approximate (as in I didn't measure anything).

Redskin Mashed Potatoes
1. Grab a pot, fill it halfway with water, start it boiling.
2. Scrub and cut up 3 large redskin potatoes into bite sized chunks (leave the skins on!). When the water is boiling, add the potatoes, a little oil, and some salt. Boil for about 12-15 minutes. I usually pop one in my mouth to see if they are ready. You want them tender but not mushy.

3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, throw in:

• 2 oz. cream cheese
• 2-3 spoonfuls of sour cream
• 3 tablespoons stick butter
• 1 palmful of dried parsley
• 2 cloves minced garlic, or garlic from a jar
• about a teaspoon of garlic salt
• a few good dashes of black pepper

4. When the potatoes are finished, drain them into a colander and then put them back into the empty hot pan momentarily to get rid of excess water droplets. Then throw them into the mixing bowl. Bust out the trusty hand mixer and beat the mixture on low until combined. Then add a little splash of milk and mix. Repeat with the milk until they are the consistency you desire. I prefer my potatoes on the thick side.

5. Tada! Transfer directly to a plate or keep warm in a oven safe bowl in the oven. Eat them plain or with some gravy. Hope you like them!

Shelly Rule: Does your recipe suck? Chances are it is minced garlic, garlic salt, or cream cheese. I haven't met a recipe I didn't like that contained cream cheese!!! And there is no such thing as too much garlic. =)