SIMPLE MASHED POTATOES RECIPES

Steps:

• Place potatoes and garlic into a large saucepan full of cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium, and boil for about 10-12 minutes. Check potatoes for doneness by poking a few wedges with a fork or skewer--if still firm, cook another minute or two and check again. Repeat until tender. Drain, taking care not to lose garlic cloves. Return potatoes to warm pot.
• Mash potatoes. Do not overwork, or potatoes will be tough (it's okay if there's a few lumps--it just means these are real potatoes, not from a box). Make sure to smash up the garlic, or pull out the cloves and squeeze in a garlic press.
• Add some butter, to taste (I usually use 2-3 T), and salt and pepper, also to taste. Mix until butter has melted.
• Add a little hot milk and beat it into the potatoes. Continue until potatoes are desired creaminess (the amount I use varies, but I usually use between 1/4 and 1/2 cup, give or take a bit).
• Cover pot with foil to keep warm until ready to serve. Potatoes will stay hot for 10-15 minutes this way.
• Serve with a pat of butter in an indentation on top.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Peel the potatoes and rinse them in cold water. Chop the potatoes in fourths. Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes, and then return them to the pan. With the burner on low heat, mash the potatoes with a potato masher; the more steam that's released while you mash, the better. Mash for about 5 minutes. Turn off the burner.
• Add the butter, cream cheese, half-and-half, and seasonings. Stir to combine, and if the mixture needs thinning, add milk. Check the seasonings, adding salt and pepper, to taste.
• Pour the mashed potatoes into a large casserole pan. Dot the surface with butter. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 more minutes. Serve immediately.