Prime Rib Dinner - Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I don't know many people that don't like mashed potatoes.  And unfortunately, I happen to live with three.  There's only 4 of us in the house!!  And I could live, breath, exist on mashed potatoes.  But, I think I've nearly converted Mr. Hungry to being a mashed potatoes fan.  He's come a long way in 10 years!  The kids, well they aren't sold on the whole matter JUST yet.  But I have hope.

These are the potatoes Mr. Hungry likes.  Dare I say 'loves'??  Not just yet, dont' want to jinx anything!!  And the good news, just add a bit more butter and a bit more cream cheese and you can make these a day ahead and heat on low in a slow cooker the next day!

I think the cream cheese, butter and milk create a very smooth texture and the addition of roasted garlic takes the flavour up a notch that just tastes >that much< better than the plain old potatoes I used to make! 

Again, a combination of recipes and research and experimenting have brought me to this combination for terrific mashed potatoes.  Feel free to use different spices in place of the parsley that suit your tastes.  Dill is a terrific alternative!

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Serves: 4-6

6-8 medium white potatoes

2 Tbsp cream cheese

4 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp parsley (fresh or dried)

4-6 cloves of roasted garlic, mashed

salt and pepper to taste


Peel and rinse potatoes.  Cut into same-sized pieces and place into pot.  Fill with enough water just to cover.

Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium.  Simmer until potatoes are fork tender (about 20 minutes).  What does fork tender mean??  If you try to poke a potato with your fork, it splits - fully with little effort.

Drain potatoes and return to pot.  Leave them uncovered for about 5 minutes (this will get more of the moisture out of the potatoes) before beginning to mash.

Give the potatoes a rough mash and add the remainder of ingredients.  Continue mashing until potatoes are to your liking.  Me, I like them nearly whipped!!  Like a thinner mashed potato?  Add a bit more milk, butter or cream cheese.  Play around with these until you learn what works for you!

Spoon mashed potatoes into a covered serving dish and set aside until time to serve.  Re-heat in the oven or (if made a day ahead) slow cooker.  You can also re-heat these in the microwave should you see fit.  It will not alter the flavours.

Before serving, give the potatoes a quick stir to make sure they are sufficiently heated and deliver them to your Sunday Dinner table.  Your family will devour these, I promise!!

Best enjoyed with a healthy dose of gravy!

--The Cook