What's Cooking: Mashed Taters

This year for Thanksgiving we're heading over to my aunt's house for our Thanksgiving meal. She's hosting over 20 people at her house. Luckily it's potluck style so everyone brings a dish or two. Two of the items I am bringing are good 'ol mashed potatoes and something my mom and step dad make mashed sweet potatoes. I have a theme going :) I'm trying something a little bit different for the regular mashed potatoes. I'm making garlic mashed potatoes - but will not be using as much garlic as the recipe calls for. The sweet potato recipe is quite yummy. I was hesitant to try it in previous years but as soon as I did try it - I loved it! So here are the two recipes...Enjoy!

Mashed Sweet Potatoes
4-6 Servings

Ingredients:

• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter cut in to 4 pieces
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Sugar
• Pinch of ground pepper
• 2 lbs sweet potatoes (orange ones), peeled, quartered lengthwise, then cut crosswise 1/4 inch thick

Instructions:

1. Combine butter, cream, salt, sugar and sweet potatoes in 3-4 quart sauce pan. Cook, covered, over low heat, stirring occasionally until potatoes fall apart when poked with a fork. The cream and butter will provide enough liquid to cook the sweet potatoes. You don't need to add any extra liquid.
2. Off heat, mash sweet potatoes in sauce pan with potato masher. Stir in pepper, serve immediately.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

6 Servings 

Ingredients:

• 5 large potatoes, peeled, and cut in to 1/2-inch cubes
• 15 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
• 2 tsp salt, divided
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup whipping cream

Instructions:

1. Place potatoes, garlic and 1 tsp salt in a large sauce pan; add enough water to cover. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain
2. Transfer potatoes and garlic to a bowl; mash. Add butter, cream and remaining salt; beat until smooth. 

Update: For Thanksgiving I used approx 10 average sized potatoes with 10 cloves of garlic. It turned out perfect. Not too garlicky...but gave the potatoes a nice kick. :)