Loaded Potatoes (Mashed)

The loaded mashed potatoes are super easy and super-fast. From start to finish these should not take you longer than 25-30 minutes, and most of that is the cooking time.

I eye all the ingredients. No need to get technical here. Feel free to make this recipe your own and add more or less of any item.

Ingredients:

6-8 small/medium potatoes

6-8 strips of bacon (see How-To “Bacon Bacon Bacon" to cook in 6 min)

1/4 cup of shredded cheese of choice (I use 2% light blended)

2 spring onion/ green onion stalks

 1 clove of garlic

2 tablespoons of butter (I use “I Can't believe It's Not Butter")

3 tablespoons of sour cream (I use fat free)

Approx. 1/4 cup milk or chicken broth (I use skim milk) this you will add in stages

I clean the potatoes well and leave the skin on. It is more nutritious this way and of course quicker But feel free to take the time to peel them if you would like. Cut into about half inch cubes. The smaller you cube them the quicker they will cook.  Add a pinch of salt and set on med high to high flame. I leave mine uncovered this way they do not boil over, but make sure to keep an eye on them. The potatoes should take about 20 minutes to cook. You know they are done when a fork goes in easily.

While the potatoes are cooking, cook the bacon (see How-To Bacon Bacon Bacon recipe to cook in 6 min), or cook it your preferred method. Let cool.

In the meantime cut the green onions and chop the garlic finely (can substitute garlic powder, but real garlic tastes best)

When the potatoes are done, drain the potatoes in a strainer or use the lid of the pot. Careful of the steam, so you do not burn yourself. And move them to a bowl.

Add all the chopped ingredients and the shredded cheese. Add the butter and sour cream. Add a little bit of milk or broth in and mash with a potato masher. Add milk as needed to get the desired creaminess. Add salt and pepper to taste.

If you do not like green onions you can add cilantro, or parsley.  Don't like bacon? Add pieces of ham or pepperoni. You can add crumbled blue cheese or feta. The sky is the limit. That is why they are called loaded.

It's a great way to use up little odds and ends in the fridge too. You can put broccoli in there. God, knows I try and sneak a veggie and/or garlic in just about everything. And I try to use the lightest versions of items such as light or fat free.

 I bought a slab of pre-cooked ribs on sale for $7.99 they took 10 min in the oven. Took a bag salad, cut a tomato, cucumber, onions and added croûtons. And dinner is served in 30 minutes. "Easy breezy".