Garlic and Chives Mashed Potatoes

Whenever we sit down to a turkey dinner, we just have to include this creamy, flavorful dish.  I know, mashed potatoes are incredibly common and one of the most consumed forms of potatoes.  Yet, I have had so many people ask for how to make our potatoes I thought we would just include the recipe and tips here.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Garlic and Chives Mashed Potatoes

4-5 large baking potatoes, washed with any 'spoil spots' trimmed off
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2+ tsp kosher salt
3 Tbsp butter
1/4 c cream (or evaporated milk)
2-3 Tbsp sour cream (to taste)
2 Tbsp freshly chopped chives (or to taste)

Cut potatoes into 1/2 in cubes (do not peel!), then put into a 3 qt. pot.  Fill with water until potatoes are covered, then pour in salt and whole garlic cloves.  Boil until potatoes are soft, then drain.  Put hot potatoes into a mixing bowl and beat on low, all the while adding butter, cream, sour cream, and finally 1/2 the chives until it reaches your favorite consistency.  Place into serving bowl and sprinkle the remaining chives over the top.  Add a small pat of butter (for decoration to really help those salivary glands kick in!).

I know that traditionally everyone peels the potatoes before boiling them.  I'll give you a little tip from a childhood spent playing in potato fields in Idaho: you don't have to do it!  Most of the nutritional value found in potatoes are in their peels, including several nutrients that help with weight loss.  When you add that to the wonderful textures that your tongue loves to play with while you are eating your mashed potatoes, you can see why we recommend leaving them in the dishes!