Rustic Garlic and Herb Mashed Potatoes

The food industry is always coming up with something new to tantalize the taste buds in the hopes consumers with part with their hard earned money.  There have been three developments with respect to cream cheese.  The first development was making cream cheese spreadable.  This product while cream cheese based is marketed as a cream cheese spread.  Additives are added to keep the cream cheese spreadable.  The second development has been the introduction of flavoured,  spreadable cream cheeses.  These are mainly fruit or herb based.  The final development has been low fat cream cheese.

I saw a low fat, garlic and herbs cream cheese spread in the grocery store.  I immediately thought this would be quite a lovely combination for rustic mashed potatoes using regular cream cheese for a richer flavour.  The only seasonings were garlic powder, dried onion flakes and dried parsley leaves so I decided to experiment rather than buy the pre-seasoned cream cheese.  I served homemade shake & bake chicken with  rustic garlic and herb mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. 

Rustic Garlic and Herb Mashed Potatoes
recipe by:  Garden Gnome

5 - 6 medium sized potatoes
⅓ c sour cream
2 tbsp butter
¼ c milk
⅓ c cream cheese, softened
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried onion flakes
1 tsp dried parsley leaves

Wash potatoes, do not peel.  Cut into cubes.  Steam until tender.  Remove from heat.  Put the potatoes into stand mixer bowl.  Add remain ingredients except parsley.  Mix until mashed through but not over mixed.  Cover then place in oven to keep warm for 10 minutes.  Scoop potatoes into serving bowl.  Garnish with a generous pinch of parsley leaves per serving.