Mashed Potato Fondue Food

CREAMY MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces that are generally the same size. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes. (When they're cooked through a fork should easily slide into the potatoes with no resistance, and the potatoes should almost, but not totally, fall apart.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Drain the potatoes thoroughly in a large colander. Place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape before adding in all the other ingredients.
• Turn off the heat and add the butter, cream cheese and about 1/2 cup of half-and-half. Mash, mash, mash! Next, add about 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir well, and then taste and add more half-and-half, seasoning salt and pepper if needed.
• Transfer the potatoes to a medium-sized baking dish. Throw a few pats of butter over the top of the potatoes and place in the oven until the butter is melted and the potatoes are warmed through.

MASHED POTATO FONDUE

Steps:

• Combine the potatoes and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are mushy and falling apart. Drain the potatoes carefully, reserving the liquid. Press the potatoes through a sieve into a bowl and set aside. Place the butter in a deep skillet over medium heat. When melted, stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Do not let the mixture brown. Add the potatoes, reserved cooking water, and milk to the skillet. Mix well and let the potato fondue simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cheese and egg yolks to the fondue. Beat the mixture immediately to combine the eggs and continue to beat until the fondue is smooth and thick. Add the salt, pepper, and cayenne. Sprinkle the top of the fondue with marjoram, if desired. Serve the mashed potato fondue with bread dippers, cooked meatballs, cauliflower florets, cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, or other dippers.

MASHED POTATO FONDUTA

Steps:

• Scrub potatoes and cut in quarters.
• Put in a 5 to 6 quart pan with 3 quarts water.
• Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork 30 to 40 minutes.
• Drain potatoes in a colander, peel and put through a potato ricer into the pot.
• Add half-and-half, half the cheese and half the white truffle oil.
• Mash with a potato masher or beat with a mixer until smooth.
• Add salt, and pepper to taste.
• Spoon into a shallow 3 quart casserole and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Broil potatoes casserole 4 to 6 inches from heat until cheese is lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Drizzle remaining truffle oil over potatoes and serve.

NEW POTATOES WITH THREE-CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add cream, cream cheese, Parmesan, and Gruyère. Whisk until smooth, about 3 minutes. Stir in nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Combine potatoes, 6 cups water and salt in large saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook until potatoes are just tender when pierced with skewer, about 6 minutes. Drain. Transfer potatoes to bowl. Add olive oil and parsley; toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Fondue and potatoes can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate. Whisk fondue 5 minutes over medium heat until melted and smooth. Reheat potatoes in 350°F oven 10 minutes.)
• Place potatoes on platter. Spear each with skewer. Serve with warm fondue.