MAIN Holidays Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a standard for holiday meals, but there is no rule that says you can't add your own touch to make the spuds as spectacular as the rest of the menu.

You can spice them up with garlic or cheeses, bacon and onions are both popular as add ins... or bake them as a casserole. For a low cal alternative try stirring chicken broth or buttermilk into mashed potatoes, instead of milk and butter. Cook the potatoes in chicken broth and garlic instead of water to add extra taste without extra calories.

Basic mashed potatoes recipe

Ingredients

• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut in cubes
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, add water and potatoes and heat until it comes to a full boil. Cook until tender and drain thoroughly .
2. Add milk and butter, and mash potatoes unitl smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

More about how to make mashed potatoes around the Web:

Just up ahead, these collections of recipes offer advice to help you decide which potatoes make the best mashed, what to do about lumpy or soupy disasters, and just about anything else you might need to know about the mighty mashed potato. Try a new recipe for your next festive meal...

Potato Goodness - Potato Recipes - The United States Potato Board (USPB) is a good place to start if you're looking for potato recipes. With a search offering a drop down menu, you can pick the recipe section you want - and there are plenty to choose from.

The Idaho Potato Board - Mashed Potato Recipe - Idaho is one of the biggest potato producers in the US and the advice and recipe they provide are sure to help you decide on the best way to cook their specialty...

Hungry Jack Recipes - Hungry Jack doesn't grow potatoes. They are the company that puts them in boxes for the cook who would rather use the instant variety. If you're the type of chef who has no idea how to peel a potato, these recipes are your salvation. Gourmet presentations with instant mashed potatoes!

Big Spud - The Potato Recipe Collection - It may not be the prettiest site, but the collection of messages devoted to all aspects of potato cooking is a great resource for both the novice and experienced potato masher.