Loaded Mashed Potatoes #recipe @VMBurns

 VMBURNS: There's nothing like creamy mashed potatoes and these are the creamiest. As a side dish, I felt mashed potatoes were pretty bland, but I've learned a lot about mashed potatoes. First, I learned that different potatoes can make a big difference in the taste. Growing up my mom always used russet potatoes, but I think Yukon Gold are amazing for mashed potatoes. Second, I learned that mashed potatoes are a great make ahead food when prepping for holidays. Simply get the potatoes mashed and put in the fridge until you're ready. They will last two days in the refrigerator. Then, take them out a couple of hours ahead of time and add a little extra baking time. Thirdly, mashed potatoes are easy to spice up with a few seasonings. I like sour cream, cheese, and onions as toppings, but you can also add garlic or other seasonings to spicy up this side dish. The last thing I learned when making these mashed potatoes was NOT to put them on the edge of the stove. Shortly following my final picture, my casserole dish crashed to the floor. :-) My poodles like mashed potatoes, too.

LOADED MASHED POTATOES

INGREDIENTS

• 5 lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes
• 1 1/2 sticks softened butter
• 8 oz. softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup whole milk or half and half

• 1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt

• 1/2 Teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

• 4 oz. sour cream

• 4 slices bacon, cooked crispy

• 1 cup cheddar cheese

• Garnish with chives or green onions
  

• 
  
• INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a 2 quart casserole with cooking spray.
2. Peel and cut the potatoes into quarters. Place in a 5 quart pot and cover with cold water. Boil the potatoes until fork tender, but not falling apart (about 30 minutes). 

   

   
   
3. Remove from heat. Drain the water and return the potatoes to the pan. Mash potatoes one minute over low heat allowing all of the steam to escape before adding the other ingredients. Remove potatoes from heat.
4. Add 1 stick of butter, cream cheese, milk and seasoning.
5. Mash until the potatoes are light and fluffy.
6. Stir well and place in the casserole dish.
7. Dice the remaining butter and tuck into the dish.
8. Cut the remaining ¼ cup butter into smaller pieces and scatter them around the top. Crumble bacon and add to top along with the cheese. 
9. Bake, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are hot and cheese melts.

   

   
   

TWO PARTS SUGAR, ONE PART MURDER, Baker Street Mystery #1

V. M. (Valerie) Burns

In this delectable new cozy mystery series, social media maven Maddy Montgomery’s perfectly ’grammable life has come undone, and she’s #StartingOver in a tiny town with one giant problem—a killer on the loose . . .
 
When Maddy Montgomery’s groom is a no-show to their livestream wedding, it’s a disaster that no amount of filtering can fix. But a surprise inheritance offers a chance to regroup and rebrand—as long as Maddy is willing to live in her late, great-aunt Octavia’s house in New Bison, Michigan, for a year, running her bakery and caring for a 250-pound English mastiff named Baby.
 
Maddy doesn’t bake, and her Louboutins aren’t made for walking giant dogs around Lake Michigan, but the locals are friendly and the scenery is beautiful. With help from her aunt’s loyal friends, aka the Baker Street Irregulars, Maddy feels ready to tackle any challenge, including Octavia’s award-winning cake recipes. That is, until New Bison’s mayor is fatally stabbed, and Maddy’s fingerprints are found on the knife . . .
 
Something strange is going on in New Bison. It seems Aunt Octavia had her suspicions, too. But Maddy’s going to need a whole lot more than a trending hashtag to save her reputation—and her life.