Comfort Foods

Even when we are not dealing with the impacts of working remotely as the result of a global pandemic, we all crave comfort foods at various times in our lives. What those foods are vary from person to person but overall they typically bring soothing feelings, a sense of peace, and calm and well, comfort. For some, it may be sweets, or something really hot and ooey-gooey with cheese, and others may not crave snack foods at all but rather a piping hot bowl of mashed potatoes. 

Mashed potatoes are a bit under-rated I think and are only brought out for holiday dinners or when paired with heavy stews on chilly, snowy nights. Doesn't have to be this way!

More than Mashed Potatoes 

Turn creamy, smooth mashed potatoes into an entrée by adding a few fun toppings!   

Ingredients: 

•  3 pounds of peeled Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 2” chunks 
• 1 cup of milk (or heavy cream) 
• 1 stick of butter 
• 1 pint of sour cream 
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste  

Directions: 

1. Bring potatoes to a boil and let cook until they are fork tender. 
2. Drain the potatoes and let them rest in a colander. 
3. Add milk and butter to the warm pot. 
4. Once the mixture is melted and combined, add the potatoes back in. 
5. Mash with a masher then add the sour cream, salt, and pepper and mash until creamy. 

Dairy free? Substitute a cup of chicken broth and omit the milk, butter, and sour cream. 

Once the potatoes are mashed, scoop a serving into a bowl and top with any combination of the following: 

• Black beans 
• Corn 
• Crumbled, crispy bacon 
• Chives 
• Cheddar cheese 
• Chopped parsley 
• Gravy 
• Jalapenos 
• Pulled pork 
• Roast chicken or beef that has been shredded 

Whether in a bowl or on a plate, treat your mashed potatoes like the ice cream base in a sundae and load them up with savory toppings!  

Looking for more comfort food recipes? Click here for Everything's Better with Cheddar Pasta, Unbirthday Milkshakes, and Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits!

I know I have seasonal favorite foods but sometimes a dish like mashed potatoes really can be re-worked to be warm weather friendly and paired with grilled meats or turned into a meal on its own. The comfort level will be high and feelings of being Fed Well will be shared by all who share these foods with you.