Loaded Mashed Potatoes for the Sharing Bowl

Loaded Mashed Potatoes for the Sharing Bowl keeps the shopping list focused on lbs Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes, Butter a little less than 2 sticks, and Sour cream. It serves 6 cups.

Count on 25 minutes of prep, 20 minutes of cooking, about 45 minutes from the first measurement to the plate.

Ingredients Method

What goes in the bowl

• 2.5 lbs Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes
• 13 ½ tablespoons Butter a little less than 2 sticks
• ½ cup Sour cream
• 2 tablespoons Chives chopped
• 16 oz Bacon
• 1 cup Cheddar Cheese
• Kosher salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

How the cooking goes

1. Place potatoes in a pot and fill with cold water just to cover. Season generously with kosher salt. The resulting mashed potatoes will need less additional salt if seasoned with the cooking water.
2. Heat it until it boils uncovered and continue to cook until the potatoes are tender. They should pierce easily with a fork, paring knife or cake tester.
3. Once cooked, strain using a colander or large sieve.
4. While the potatoes are cooking, cook your bacon. This can be done in a sauté pan or on a wire rack set inside a rimmed sheet pan in the oven. Cook until browned and most of the fat has rendered. Place the bacon on paper towels to cool. Once cool, crumble. Taste test ?
5. Move it onto the bowl of a electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix with the mixer on low until a smooth puree has formed. This step can also be done by hand with a wooden spoon or in a food processor.
6. Put all the butter to the hot potatoes and mix until completely melted and incorporated.
7. Remove from the electric mixer and add the cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted. Stir in sour cream, chives and bacon.
8. If too much milk is added, you can thicken with potato flakes. The taste and texture will be noticeably different to discerning palates, but most will be none the wiser!
9. Season with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper until the seasoning suits the pot.

After it comes off the heat

Give the plate the rest the method asks for. Cover leftovers and refrigerate them when the dish includes meat, eggs, or dairy.

If you want another plate from Sides, open Cranberry Chutney beside the Main Plate and Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole for the Sharing Bowl.