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Monday, November 7, 2011

Italian Cream Cheese Herb and Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

This is for  Mom's Crazy Cooking Challenge where there is a theme each month and the mission is to use a recipe by a fellow blogger, make it and post it.  This month's theme is Mashed Potatoes and I picked this recipe from What's Cookin Italian Style Cuisine.   They turned out very creamy and spicy, but recommend cutting down on the cayenne as they do have a bite after you have taken a bite.

This easily made 6-8 generous servings.

Ingredients:
5  medium white potatoes
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
4 tablespoons sour cream
3 tablespoon cream cheese or Philadelphia Italian Cooking Creme
1/2  stick butter
1/2 tsp parsley or cilantro
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp oregano or Italian seasonings
1/4 tsp basil
Dash of cayenne pepper
1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup milk, heavy cream, half and half
Non-stick spray coating

Topping (optional)
1/2 stick butter
1/2 -3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/2 to 3/4 cup Shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese

Bring water to boil and add a few dashes of salt (optional).  Peel and dice the potatoes until tender over medium heat until well cooked (test with a fork) - takes between 25-30 minutes.   Drain and return to pan.


Mince garlic (I used pre-minced) and measure out spices
Measure out butter, sour cream, cream cheese and parmesan.   I had a buy one get one free coupon for the Philadelphia Cooking cream cheese so I used that in this recipe.
I didn't have a heavy industrial mixer, so I started out using a blending mixer, adding a little of the milk at a time, but ended up going old school on it and used a potato masher until smooth.
Spray a baking dish with non-stick coating and preheat oven to 375 degrees
Transfer the potatoes over to the baking dish

For the topping, in a separate bowl put the bread crumbs and butter and melt the butter (I put it in the over for a few minutes) and mix together until crumbly.

I used to fork to sprinkle the topping on the potatoes.
Sprinkle the mozzarella or Italian cheese blend over the top. 
Put in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted.
I served ours with a country fried steak, but What's Cookin Italian Style Cuisine indicated she serves this with ham, pork or poultry and leftovers are great to use in croquettes or topping for a Sheperd's Pie.

Be sure to check out everyone else's recipes at the challenge.Mom's Crazy Cooking Challenge
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7 comments:

  1. Wow! Look at all the yummy goodness in there! Delicious!!!

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  2. I've been wondering about that cooking cream, like if it was any good!! I bet it tastes great in these mashed potatoes!! Thanks for sharing.

    I hope you come check out my mashed potato recipe, #30!!

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  3. Visting from the Challenge #63. Mmmmm, sounds good with country fried steak. Had to come see what made these Italian...spicy! I like them (spices) all but would completely omit the cayenne.

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  4. Very delicious sounding potatoes.

    If you haven't already I'd love for you to check out my Crazy Cooking Challenge entry Aloo Tikki

    Lisa~~
    Cook Lisa Cook

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  5. I can't wait to try this recipe, it is very different and we will just love it. Great recipe for the Crazy Cooking Challenge, it looks delicious! Hope you are having a great day.
    Miz Helen
    #8

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  6. hmmm. i think i could get into this! not the prettiest potato dish ever, but i sure bet it is tasty!

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  7. So unique! I just love this recipe! Thanks!

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