Smashed Potatoes

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 lbs red potatoes, unpeeled and scrubbed (about 2 inches in diameter)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 tablespoons butter (melted and warm)
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, at room temperature (4 ounces)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped (optional)

Recipe

• 1 place potatoes in large saucepan and cover with 1 inch cold water; add 1 tsp salt and bay leaf.
• 2 bring to boil over high heat, then reduce heat to med-low and simmer gently until paring knife can be inserted into potatoes with no resistance, 35 to 45 minutes.
• 3 reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, and then drain potatoes.
• 4 return potatoes to pot, discard bay leaf, and allow potatoes to stand in pot, uncovered, until surfaces are dry, about 5 minutes.
• 5 while potatoes dry, whisk melted butter and soften cream cheese in med bowl until smooth and fully incorporated.
• 6 add 1/4 cup of reserved cooking water, 1/2 tsp pepper, chives (if using), and 1/2 tsp salt.
• 7 using rubber spatula or back of wooden spoon, smash potatoes just enough to break skins.
• 8 fold in butter/cream cheese mixture until most of liquid has been absorbed and chunks of potatoes remain.
• 9 add more cooking water 1 tablespoon at a time as needed; until potatoes are slightly looser than desired (potatoes will thicken slightly with standing).
• 10 adjust seasonings with salt and pepper; serve immediately.