Garlic Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 or 4 pounds Russet potatoes, scrubbed clean

1 to 1-1/2 sticks salted butter

1 cup half and half or cream

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic (more if you like it really garlicky!)

Salt and pepper to taste plus one tablespoon added to boiling water

Directions:

1.      Scrub potatoes and cut into large chunks. Place potatoes into a large pot, add water to cover. Add one tablespoon salt. Bring to a low boil and let potatoes cook until fork tender. Drain.

2.      While cooked potatoes drain, add butter and cream to pot and stir. Add drained potatoes back to pot with butter and cream and stir.

3.      Using a hand mixer, beat potatoes, butter and cream until smooth. Add a little butter and/or cream until desired consistency.

4.      Add garlic and cheese and stir by hand to incorporate. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Optional:

For spicy potatoes, stir in Sriracha to taste.

Serve hot with roast or chicken. Use leftover potatoes to top Shepherd’s Pie.