Party Mashed Potatoes

For our annual vintners club Oktoberfest celebration we always have a potluck. I strive not to be the one in charge of appies , because arriving early enough to be the apply supplier is just not in my DNA.

This year we all brought growlers.  Paul found a great little craft brewery in Port Moody called Yellow Dog and we shared their Coffee Smoked Brown Porter. Earlier in the week we tried one of their IPAs which was also super.

Anyways, my dish was potatoes.  I thought about bringing potato pancakes with applesauce (too hard to keep hot and crisp in transit) potato salad (um… not really a winter thing) or boiled potatoes (ho-hum) since they are all German dishes but none of them really felt right.

That’s when my friend Debra came to the rescue with the “recipe” I’m about to give you.  The recipe below is actually more detailed than the one she gave me.  In fact hers included the comment that there were “probably more ingredients involved” but she couldn’t remember.  She suggested chives, but it’s the wrong season.  None are growing in the garden and I’m not shelling out 3 bucks for a few strands of greenery that is like a weed in my garden. But if you are reading this in the summer, by all means chop some chives and throw them in.

The dish was a hit! Everyone really liked it.  I popped it in a warm oven when I arrived at the house and it was piping hot when  it was served.  Mission accomplished.
*This picture doesn't do it justice, but I forgot to take a pretty picture and this is all I had.

Party Mashed Potatoes
 
Topping:

Mix together:
1/3 c bread crumbs (1 hamburger bun)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese


Mashed Potatoes

5 lbs potatoes, peeled, boiled (in salted water) and drained
8 oz package of cream cheese
1/4 cup butter (or more)
cream or milk if necessary
 
Mix the butter and cream cheese into the hot, cooked potatoes and mash them.
If they are creamy enough continue.  If not, add a bit more butter or some cream or milk.

Spoon the mashed potatoes into a 8x12 glass or corningware baking dish. You want as much surface area on top so that there is plenty of crispy topping for everyone.

Smooth the top and sprinkle with crumb/parmesan cheese mixture.

Pop in 325°F oven for 30 minutes to crisp up the top and warm through.

p.s.  You can always add more cheese than this recipe calls for.