Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 3 medium potatoes (1 pound)
• 2 tablespoons margarine or butter
• Milk

Instructions

1. Peel and quarter potatoes. Cook, covered, in a small amount of boiling lightly salted water for 20 to 25 minutes or till tender. Drain. Mash with a potato masher or beat with an electric mixer on low speed. Add margarine and salt and pepper to taste. Gradually beat in enough milk (2 to 4 tablespoons) to make light and fluffy.
2. Microwave directions: Peel and quarter potatoes. In a 1 1/2-quart casserole micro-cook potatoes and 2 tablespoons water, covered, on 100% power (high) for 8 to 10 minutes or till tender, stirring once. Drain. Continue as above.
3. To make ahead: Prepare as above, except after adding milk, freeze mashed potatoes in 1/2 cup mounds on a baking sheet. When firm, place in a plastic bag; seal. To reheat, place on a greased baking sheet. If desired, brush with melted margarine or butter. Bake in a 325° oven about 25 minutes or till heated through.
4. Cheese-Frosted Mashed Potatoes: Prepare as above, except, after adding milk, mound mashed potatoes into a greased 8 1/2x1 1/2-inch round baking dish. Make a shallow indentation in the top. Whip 1/4 cup whipping cream; fold in 1/2 cup shredded American cheese. Spread cheese mixture over the indentation in the potatoes. Bake in a 350° oven about 20 minutes or till lightly browned.
5. Duchess Potatoes: Prepare as above, except use 1 to 2 tablespoons milk. After adding milk, let mashed potatoes cool slightly. With a electric mixer on low speed, beat in 1 egg. Using a decorating bag with a large star tip, pipe potatoes into 4 mounds on a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. (Or, spoon 4 mounds onto the baking pan.) Drizzle with 2 tablespoons melted margarine or butter. Bake in a 500° oven for 10 to 12 minutes or till lightly browned.
6. Potato Patties: Prepare as above, except after adding milk, chill mashed potatoes. In a large skillet cook 1/2 cup sliced green onion in 1 tablespoon margarine or butter. Remove onion with slotted spoon, reserving drippings. Combine mashed potatoes, onion, and 1 slightly beaten egg. Shape into four 3 1/2- to 4-inch round patties. In the skillet cook patties in reserved dripping and 2 tablespoons melted margarine or butter over medium heat about 10 minutes or till golden brown, turning once.