No Paper Creation....

My Mojo is on an unscheduled mini-vacay right now - 

But I thought I'd share with you a new Mashed Potato recipe we've been using since October that is just FABULOUS!!!  Kind of like a Loaded Baked Potato, but mashed if that makes sense.  =)
It does in my slight scrambled mind today!
We made these for Thanksgiving and everyone was disappointed we didn't make them again for Christmas Dinner (especially my mom).  So, when I stayed at the farm with her this past Thursday, you won't even believe how excited she was when I delivered her her very own dish of these potatoes!  

You would have thought I'd just given her a million skeins of sock yarn (my mom knits some amazing socks - so this is a big thing - kind of like if someone gave you a million pieces of your very most favorite paper - yep, THAT excited!)

Photo by Taste of Home

They're called Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes, or in our house 

"The ONLY Mashed Potatoes for Holidays & every other Meal!"
We've made a few adjustments to the recipe (like we usually do)

3 lbs of potatoes (about 9 medium) peeled & cubed

1 pkg (8 oz) cream sheese, softened

1/2 c. sour cream & chives sour cream
1/2 c. butter, cubed

1/4 c. skim milk

1 1/2 tea onion powder

1 tea garlic powder

1/2 tea pepper

1/4 tea salt

1 lb. Crisp Bacon, crumbled (it called for 6 strips, but in our house, it's always BETTER with MORE Bacon!)

2 c. (8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese

3-6 green onions, chopped

Boil potatoes until tender enough to mash and make mashed potatoes.  Drain & then mash potatoes with cream cheese, sour cream & butter, stir in milk & other seasonings.  

Crisp bacon in skillet and drain on paper towels.  Shred cheese, clean & chop green onions.

Place potato mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish, sprinkle with cheese, green onion and top with crumbled bacon.

Cover & refrigerate until ready to use.  Remove from fridge about 30 minutes before baking.  Bake uncovered at 350* for 40-50 minutes.  Cheese will get gooey and the toppings a little crunchy

Makes 10 servings (according to the recipe).  According to our family -- it doesn't make ENOUGH! =)

ENJOY!!