‘Mashed Potatoes’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Thanksgiving Planning {2014}

November 19, 2014 · Narrative

Every once in awhile, the planets align and I am organized enough ahead of schedule to share holiday ideas before the actual holiday.

This is that.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Beyond loving the reminder to be thankful, I love it for two more reasons.

One, I can fill up the table with tons of delicious dishes and not feel guilty about having gone overboard.

Because going overboard is key. A week’s worth of leftovers as we tiptoe full blast into the crazy holiday season is not a bad thing.

The second reason? Because our gratitude tree comes out.

It’s one of my favorite traditions, and every year, it’s fun to look back and see what people wrote on their leaves from previous years.

And who was at our table.

Exes. In-laws. Friends. Family.

A reminder of what was important then.

And what is important now.

Although I haven’t hosted our family Thanksgiving in a few years, I have instead had a Bloggers Thanksgiving Feast.

Which allowed me to satisfy my inner hostess just the same. (You can see those write-ups here > 2013, 2012, 2011).

But this year, because one of the bloggers is getting married, and one moved to far-flung regions (also known as Maine), that isn’t happening.

So I’m doing something else.

Changing it up.

And cannot wait.

And in the meantime?

A little round-up of Thanksgiving suggestions for you as I share some of our favorite go-tos for the holiday. You just might find YOUR newest tradition here too.

Decor
Cute little place cards I made a few years ago using scraps of paper.
The Give Thanks banner that Nick made one afternoon.

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Recipe: Ham and Cheddar Mashed Potato Patties {Betty Crocker}

November 22, 2013 · Narrative

Warm mashed potatoes fried up into a patty with bits of ham and Cheddar? Comfort food at its finest.

So I have good news and bad news. The bad news (I always want that first when someone has good and bad news for me) is that I don’t have a crescent recipe tonight as promised. Because I had mixed up some dates, and it won’t be coming until next week sometime. The good news, however, is that I still have a new recipe for you tonight.

And even better? It will make excellent use out of any leftover ham (or even turkey) you might have next week at your Thanksgiving Day feast.

The folks at Betty Crocker challenged me to come up with a new recipe using one of their boxed potato products. I had to confess that I had never even purchased from their potato product line before (and there is a ton of variety available), but they didn’t need to ask twice to get me to create something delicious with mashed potatoes.

I mean, let’s be real. It doesn’t get more comforting that warm mashed potatoes, does it?

And my mind started racing in all sorts of directions. What to do? What to do? And through some twists and turns, I suddenly arrived here.

Ham and Cheddar Mashed Potato Patties.

The Betty Crocker mashed potatoes couldn’t be simpler to make. Pour the contents in a bowl with water and microwave for a few minutes. To that, I added a few chopped scallions, chopped cooked ham, and Cheddar cheese. Form them into little patties, dunk in a coating of Panko, and fry ’em up.

So good. Like a hug from the inside out. A slight hint of onion from the scallions, a nice bite with the bits of ham, and a little bit of extra creaminess from the cheese.

I won’t lie. They’re a bit messy to make. But I promise you, totally worth it.

I mean … c’mon … Mashed Potato Patties for the win!

If there are Betty Crocker or Pillsbury items on your grocery list for next week’s holiday festivities, you can find lots of printable coupons right here.

And with that, I’m off. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! xo

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Recipe: Garlic Cauliflower “Mashed Potatoes”

March 25, 2013 · Narrative

Holy Grail of Garlicness!

My first tip regarding this recipe is to not use the five large cloves of garlic it calls for.

Because, man, I do love me some garlic, but it was way.too.much.

For realz.

Like Nick, who doesn’t like “mashed potatoes” and who I finally convinced to try a bite, was gasping for water because it was “so spicy.”

Spicy wasn’t the right word, but potent certainly is.

My second tip with this recipe? Make it.

Remember when fake-out mashed potatoes via cauliflower were all the rage some years back during the low carb diet craze? My Mom was definitely making them back then, but I never got around to, but luckily they’re baaaack!

To save a little bit of time, and since I don’t have a steamer basket, I skipped the whole first step and just used a Ziploc steamer bag to steam the whole head of cauliflower. I only had one bag left, and had to be a bit strategic to get it all to fit, but it worked beautifully.

Then, once the cauliflower had been steamed, I just pulverized the heck out of everything in my mini food processor. And it was done.

Now for serving? I think these are most perfect with a pulled pork or brisket or roast chicken. And with a bite of the meat and the “mashed potatoes” together on each fork-full. This recipe or this one or this one or this one would be awesome to go with it.

Paleo. Vegetarian. Clean eating. This recipe fits all those groups. And more. Super easy. And pretty guilt-free. Creamy. Flavorful. Delicious.

Go get ’em.

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