Creative Tips for Livening Up Mashed Potatoes

Greek Mashed Potatoes Ingredients

• Four medium-sized russet potatoes that have been peeled, chopped, boiled and mashed with two tablespoons of butter, approximately ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt and salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp. fresh oregano, finely minced, or ¼ ground, dried oregano
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

Fold the oregano and feta cheese into the mashed potatoes. Makes 4 servings.

Cajun Mashed Potatoes Ingredients

• Four medium-sized russet potatoes that have been peeled, chopped, boiled and mashed with two tablespoons of butter, approximately ¼ to ½ cup of milk
• ¼ cup andouille sausage, cut into ¼-inch cubes
• 1/8 cup each celery, yellow onion and red pepper, cut into ¼-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• ½ tsp. packaged Cajun seasoning or 1 pinch each of cayenne pepper, red pepper flake, paprika, salt, black pepper and ground cumin

Directions

Sauté the sausage and vegetables with the olive oil until the sausage fat is rendered and the vegetables are cooked soft. Fold the vegetable/sausage mix and Cajun seasonings into the mashed potatoes until well mixed. Makes 4 servings.

Rustic Country Mashed Potatoes Ingredients

• Four medium-sized peeled skin-on red potatoes cut into 1-inch pieces before boiling
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ cup sliced green onions
• 2 tbsps. butter
• Coarse sea salt and coarse cracked black pepper

Directions

Leave some chunks in the potatoes when you mash them. Lightly sauté the minced garlic in the butter, just until the garlic is translucent and aromatic. Do not brown the garlic. Add the garlic, melted butter and green onions into the mashed potatoes. Season with a ¼ tsp. coarse sea salt and a few coarse grinds of black pepper. Fold the ingredients into the mashed potatoes until they are well incorporated. Makes 4 servings.

French Onion Mashed Potatoes Ingredients

• Four medium-sized russet potatoes that have been peeled, chopped, boiled and mashed with two tablespoons of butter, approximately ¼ to ½ cup of milk and salt and pepper to taste.
• 1 medium yellow onion, cut into thin slices
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• ½ cup shredded gruyere cheese

Directions

Caramelize the sliced onions in olive oil while the potatoes boil. Cook them slowly over medium heat until deep brown, but not black. Spray a 9-inch by 7-inch casserole dish (or similar size) with non-stick spray and spread the basic mashed potatoes in it. Layer in the onions and sprinkle the cheese on top. Place the dish under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes or until the cheese bubbles and browns slightly. Makes 4 servings.

Super-Quick Creative Tips

In addition to the recipes above, you can also use chicken or vegetable stock instead of water to boil the potatoes before mashing. Or, you can toss a tablespoon of finely minced chive, flat parsley, coriander leaves, celery leaves or tarragon into your mashed potatoes for a last minute zing of fresh herb flavor. Experiment with different varieties of potatoes in your usual recipe. Try Yukon Gold, purple potatoes or fingerlings.

Also try substituting the milk in a basic mashed potato recipe for sour cream, creme fresh or cream cheese to add a luscious tang.

Alternatively, sprinkle a handful of grated cheddar cheese and a teaspoon of packaged chili or taco seasoning into your mashed potatoes to serve with zesty grilled meats and poultry.