#3299 - Cheddar Cheese Mashed Potatoes

(by Shirley McNevich)

8 red potatoes
1 cup cold butter
8oz. cheddar cheese (shredded)
1/2 cup heavy cream
salt
pepper
chopped fresh chives (to your taste)

Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into chunks. Place the potato chunks in a pot and cover them with water. Cook/stir over medium heat and bring to a boil--cook until potatoes are fork tender (about 18-20 minutes). Drain the potatoes (DO NOT RINSE), then place them in a large bowl and mash them with a potato masher. Cut the cold butter into small pieces--add the butter pieces and shredded cheddar cheese to the mashed potatoes--stir well to mix. Cover the bowl for a few minutes to give the cheese and butter time to melt. Uncover the potatoes and add the heavy cream, salt (to your taste) and pepper (to your taste)--stir well. Taste--add more salt/pepper as needed, then stir again. If mashed potatoes are too stiff, add a little more heavy cream and stir again. If you don't like the small lumps, place mashed potatoes in a mixer and beat until smooth and creamy. Place mashed potatoes in a serving bowl and sprinkle the chopped fresh chives over the top.