GARLIC WHITE CHEDDAR MASH
Hands down, the second most popular dish on any Thanksgiving menu next to turkey is mashed potatoes. But, not just any mashed potatoes; Garlic White Cheddar Mash. This recipe originally started out as a gratin one Thanksgiving then a casserole the next. What I wanted really was to capture the richness that comes from simmering these stem tuberous beauties in butter and cream without the wait. What’s more, I wanted earthy aromatics of Allium ancestry and cheese, glorious cheese! But not resulting in the gumminess of an aligot. (Fun fact: White cheddar only happened when I was low on Pecorino and, funnily enough, it worked.) The outcome is a holiday side that takes no time to make and is a sumptuous, flavorful, comforting plat d'accompagnement that needs not only a holiday to happen.
PREP/COOK TIME: About 25 Minutes
Makes 4 – 6 Servings
INGREDIENTS
4 Lbs – Russet Potatoes, Peeled and Sliced
6 - 8 Cloves of Garlic, Peeled and Halved
½ Cup (4 Oz) – Cream Cheese, Room Temp
½ Cup (1 Stick) and 2 Tbs – Unsalted Butter, Room Temp
½ Cup – Heavy Cream
1 Cup (8 Oz) – Cracker Barrel Vermont Sharp White Cheddar Cheese
1 Cup – Panko Bread Crumbs
Kosher Salt and Coarse Black Pepper to Taste
THE NITTY GRITTY
Put potatoes and garlic in a large pot, with 1 tbs of salt, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Cook till potatoes are tender, but firm (about 15 minutes).
Meanwhile, in a 10” non-stick pan, warm 2 tbs of butter at medium high heat till butter is completely melted. Add panko; stir continuously till golden. Season with salt and pepper; remove from heat.
Drain potatoes. Using the same pot, at medium heat, piece in one stick of butter and cream cheese to potatoes; roughly mash to combine using a potato masher or the back of a fork. Add heavy cream and shredded cheddar and stir till blended; season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with toasted panko and enjoy!
Serve alongside turkey with Shiitake and Herb ‘Au Jus’, Farce à la Hâte, So, This Is The (Almost) Famous ‘B’russels Hammond’ and Sweet & Savory Casserole.
NOVEMBER 14, 2018
