Growing up at Green Thumb Farms with potatoes always in my life I have learned they can be prepared in so many ways. If I were to list them I would sound like Bubba from the movie Forest Gump! Over the years my mom and I have developed a much simpler way to make “twice baked” potatoes, and they are referred to as “Favorite Potatoes” among our relatives. If you are looking for a change from the traditional mashed potatoes this holiday read on and you will be pleasantly surprised.
There is no exact science to this, it is more of a dash here and a pinch there but no matter how much of each ingredient you add these potatoes are sure to be a crowd pleaser. To make the life of a busy chef easier this dish can be made ahead of time and baked to fit your mealtime schedule. The following is a list of ingredients that you can play around with to accommodate both your serving sizes as well as your taste:
Round White Potatoes (Green Thumb Farms are the best) Peeled/Unpeeled-your preference
Salted Butter
Splash of Milk or Cream
Garlic and Herb Whipped Cream Cheese (Alouette Brand is my favorite)
Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese (The sharper the better) Shredded
Parmesan Cheese Shredded
Scallions or Green Onions Chopped
Garlic Powder
Season Salt
Pepper
Boil the potatoes until fork tender like regular mashed potatoes, then combine with the butter and milk with a mixer (stand mixer works best but hand mixer will do the trick). Add the cheeses and seasonings to taste and combine until whipped and lump free. Transfer potato mixture to a buttered baking dish (makes clean-up easier) and bake until hot all the way through. Made ahead of time you can put the covered baking dish in the refrigerator and bake when needed, freezing works well too. Depending on the size of your dish baking times vary but 400 degrees is a good start temperature and anywhere from 1 hour to 30 minutes should do the trick. You want your potatoes to be hot in the center and the cheese to be melted. Covering with tin foil helps the center warm faster and removing the cover allows a nice browned crust to form on the top layer. Let sit for a few minutes before serving as the cheese can be VERY hot!
Happy Holidays!
