Do the mashed potato, do the twist...

In the U.S. this week, many of us are planning Thanksgiving meals, making grocery lists and starting on the baking.  As I've written before, I'm usually elbow deep in muffins at this point, but last year I was in a bit of a tizzy because I was going to be hosting the annual Thanksgiving celebration, with family converging from several states.  I needed all the help I could get and when I came across a mashed potato recipe that could be prepared ahead and then served from a crockpot, I decided to take a chance on it.  It was such a hit that everyone wanted the recipe and I have shared it numerous times since.  For all of you in the pre-Thanksgiving day panic, I'm sharing the recipe here.  It's a winner ~ and no peeling, mashing and warming while you're waiting for the turkey to cook.  Enjoy your guests instead!

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Make-Ahead Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

• 15 medium potatoes (5 lbs), peeled and quartered
• 8 ounces cream cheeses, room temperature
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 egg whites, slightly beaten
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup chopped chives (optional)

One to several days ahead ~

• In a large pot of boiling water over medium-high heat, cook potatoes until tender when pierced with a fork; remove from heat and drain.
• In the same pan, mash potatoes with potato masher, fork, electric mixer or potato ricer until there are no lumps.  *I used a ricer for the first time ~ no lumps!
• Add cream cheese, sour cream, onion powder, salt, pepper, egg whites and chives.  Blend well, dot with butter.
• Cool slightly, cover and refrigerate.

On serving day ~

• Take prepared mashed potatoes out of refrigerator about 3½ hours before serving time.
• Place in crockpot.  Cover and cook on low heat for approximately 3 hours, stirring once or twice.
• After potatoes are cooked, stir and add a few dollops of butter just before serving.

Yield: 12 - 15 servings
Adapted from recipe at whatscookingamerica.net.

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I'm not hosting this year, but I hear my crockpot potatoes will be on the menu at our family gathering.  I'm back in my traditional role and got started on my muffins this afternoon.  Apricot Almond, Milk Chocolate Chip and Blueberry are finished.  Since most of the kids won't be joining us, just a dozen of each.  A couple of new selections, yet to be decided, will be made tomorrow.

Between baking and other holiday prep, I'm hoping to get some handwork readied for the few days away.  Yes, this is still the basket quilt. Trying to keep things interesting!

I may not get to post again until after the holiday, so let me wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!  And safe travels to those of you who will be heading out to join family and friends away from home.

Comments

[Loretta]

Happy Thanksgiving, Jan! Love the crockpot mashies!

[Carole]

Those mashed potatoes sound perfect for a holiday dinner, especially since the crockpot will keep them warm for much longer than possible in a traditional serving dish. I always think of you and muffins this week. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Jan!

[Karen Beigh]

The pieces you are sewing together could be the feathers for a turkey. Just a thought.

[paula.thequilter]

Thanks for the recipe/link for the mashed potatoes. I am going to try this one using my own recipe since DS is lactose intolerant (none of the cheese or sour cream or butter). Happy Thanksgiving!

[Tonya Ricucci]

your blocks and bits are gorgeous - will definitely liven up the baskets. Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving!

[Thimbleanna]

Hmmm, I was just thinking about those stars (since I'm piecing some too) the other day and wondering how hard it would have been to hand piece rather than EPP. And these are all part of the baskets? I'm dying to see what you're doing with them all. Happy Thanksgiving!

[janet]

Thanks for the recipe - I love make aheads! Those little stars are wonderful! Now I can't wait to see what you are doing with your baskets :0) Is the 25 patch going with the baskets too? Happy Thanksgiving!

[Kate]

I am hosting 17 for dinner this year, which is also my first year cooking Thanksgiving dinner! Eeek! I am immediately replacing my planned potato recipe with this one. Thanks very much!

[Redsoxgal]

Thanks so much for the recipe,will be using that and the crockpot also! Muffins look as yummy as always! The quilt squares are beautiful,love those colors together! You have a wonderful Thanksgiving also!!

[Kelly]

I am so going to make those potatoes!

[barb]

thanks for the recipe! Looks rich and delicious and practically fat free (lol)
your little stars are so sweet and I love the contrast with them.
the pincushion is adorable!

[kathie]

I love muffins so will be trying some of those recipes Ok I can't wait to see this basket quilt , love these stars and oh the 25 patch looks great, its the fabrics and the contrast of them I just am loving.

mashed potatoes sound amazing and almost fat free? I will give them a try maybe for Christmas

Kathie

[Dixie]

Love this post - we use our crockpot practically every day - our version of fast food! Your mashed potatoes recipe looks delicious and so do your muffins! Love your new additions to your basket quilt. Really appreciate the pictures you sent - I'm hoping to start my version this weekend. Thanks again for your help, and hope you and your family have a lovely Thanksgiving!

[Sharon]

Oh how I love to hand pice lemoyne stars. Yours look pretty small, are they about 4" finished? These blocks are going to mix in so well with all your baskets, again, I'm loving all your fabrics!

[Redsoxgal]

I made the Mashed Potatoes they were incredible!Besides tasting wonderful,they were hot when we were ready, the crockpot cleared up oven/stovetop space... this is a keeper! Thanks for sharing it. Why have I not done this before?? I love my crockpot, I love the Fix It & Forget It cookbooks...Hope you all had a wonderful holiday also!

[Jeannette]

What a cool idea with the mashed potatoes! I have never put cream cheese in my potatoes but bet it is devine. Thanks for the recipe, I must try this one.

[KathieB]

The recipe looks great. Saving this one for definite future use, as I am now, FINALLY, the owner of a Crock Pot.

[Heirlooms by Aston House]

The make-ahead mashed potatoes sound good. What a great idea. I am all for simplifying holiday meals as I usually host them! Love the colors of your basket block. Always nice to carve out a little time for stitching amid the holiday hubbub.