CREAMY MASHED POTATOES WITH GARDEN CONFETTI

Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Garden Confetti image

This item too was on my HUSBANDS APPRECIATION DINNER Menu. It was just the two of us, & just my way of letting him know how much I appreciate him & all that he does. What better way to say it than with potatoes. I embellished this recipe with a few minor changes but nothing major. The blend of the sweet peppers with the...

Provided by Rose Mary Mogan

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

5 lb red potatoes, unpeeled & quartered
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt (add to water for boiling)
1 pkg 8 oz. cream cheese, cut up & softened
1-1/2 c half & half or light cream
1 tsp salt(add when seasoning potatoes) or to taste
1 tsp cracked black pepper
2 Tbsp butter or more if desired
1 recipe for garden confetti
GARDEN CONFETTI
6 small mini sweet peppers, yellow,red, & orange, cut into rings & deseeded
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into strips & chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled & shredded

Steps:

1. In a large pot or dutch oven cook potatoes with 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, then cover with water. I chose to peel potatoes, and cut into smaller pieces to aid in the cooking time. Boil till tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.Or till fork pierced into potatoes is released easily. Chop all the veggies for the confetti and set aside till needed.
2. Drain in colander and mash with a potato masher or an electric mixer on low speed, until slightly lumpy. Add cream cheese, half & half, salt & pepper. Beat well to blend together. Season to taste adding more if needed.
3. Transfer potatoes to a large bowl. Spoon confetti vegetables over potatoes, drizzle with melted butter if desired.
4. TO MAKE THE GARDEN CONFETTI: Melt 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, over medium heat, add the shredded carrots, the sliced assorted pepper rings, the chopped onions and the diced green bell peppers, cook & stir over low heat, about 5-6 minutes till veggies are tender and transparent. Keep warm till needed, then top mashed potatoes with confetti & drizzle with additional butter if desired. Serve while still hot.
5. My potatoes are displayed in my new Le Creuset dish that I won in the pork Be Inspired Pork Contest #3. I think it really does make a beautiful presentation don't you. You will be seeing this dish for a long time IN OTHER DISHES THAT I MAKE. I LOVE IT. You will love the flavor that the veggie confetti adds to these potatoes.I made a few minor changes to the recipe, it is from Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Cooking From the Heart.