Boursin & Fontina mashed potatoes
Delicious side dish for your holiday gathering/ 30 Minutes
Mashed potatoes are a versatile side dish that pairs well with various proteins and vegetables, creating an opportunity for families to connect over a comforting meal. My take on Boursin and Fontina mashed potatoes truly elevates the original dish, transforming it into a decadent side that is perfect for the holiday season. These creamy and flavorful potatoes bring a special touch to any festive gathering, making them an ideal addition to your holiday menu.
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Measuring Ingredients: Involve your children by letting them measure the cheese and potatoes. This not only teaches them about cooking but also basic math skills.
Mixing and Stirring: Allow them to stir the cheese and to mash the potatoes; teaching them the importance of being careful with hot pans.
Assign Age-Appropriate Tasks: Younger kids can wash the raw potatoes, while older children can mash the hot potatoes or help with chopping (under supervision) or grating cheese.
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Elevating the flavor of your mashed potatoes is simple, and one of the most delicious ways to do this is by incorporating bacon.
Cook the bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it is crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and place it on paper towels to absorb excess grease. Once cooled, crumble it into small pieces.
Add Bacon: Fold in the crumbled bacon, reserving a bit for garnish if desired.
Serve: Once your dish is out of the oven with the golden Fontina, sprinkle with the reserved bacon, and optionally garnish with chives or green onions.
Using bacon in mashed potatoes not only enhances the flavor but also gives a satisfying crunch. This dish is perfect for family dinners and can be made in advance, allowing you to spend more time connecting with your loved ones around the table. Enjoy this intentional twist on a classic recipe!
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When substituting fontina cheese in mashed potatoes, consider these alternatives that can mimic its creamy texture and flavor profile:
Gruyère Cheese: Like fontina, Gruyère melts well and has a rich, nutty flavor. Use the same amount as fontina to maintain creaminess.
Havarti Cheese: This cheese is mild and creamy, making it an excellent substitute. Use equal parts to ensure a smooth consistency.
To use these substitutes, simply melt them into the mashed potatoes along with the milk or cream for a smooth texture. Adjust seasonings as needed, especially salt, to enhance the overall taste.
Substituting Boursin cheese in mashed potatoes is quite simple and can still yield a creamy, flavorful result. Here are a few alternatives you can consider:
Cream Cheese: Use an equal amount of cream cheese. Soften it before mixing with your potatoes to ensure a smooth texture. You can add garlic powder, herbs, or chives to mimic the flavor profile of Boursin.
Ricotta Cheese: Replace Boursin with ricotta for a lighter texture. Use the same amount and blend it well with your mashed potatoes. You may want to add some garlic and fresh herbs for added flavor.
Sour Cream: For tanginess, sour cream can be an excellent substitute. Add in the same quantity as Boursin and consider incorporating herbs like dill or chives for a fresh taste.
Butter and Garlic: If you want to maintain a similar creaminess without a cheese substitute, you can use extra butter combined with sautéed garlic or roasted garlic for flavor.
When using any of these substitutes, adjust additional seasonings based on your taste preferences. Remember to taste as you go to achieve the desired flavor and texture in your mashed potatoes.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients:
2 pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes
1/4 cup milk (whole or low-fat)
¼ cup unsalted butter
1 bloc of Boursin cheese
1 small wedge of Fontina cheese
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: garlic powder, chives, fresh thym, 1 cup of cooked and chopped bacon for added flavor
Instructions:
Prepare the Potatoes:
Peel the potatoes and cut them into evenly sized chunks (about 1-2 inches).
Rinse the potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch.
Cook the Potatoes:
Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water.
Add a generous pinch of salt to the water.
Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender (easily pierced with a fork).
While this cook, shred the Fontina cheese and reserve.
Drain and Steam:
Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them sit for a minute to allow steam to escape. This helps prevent watery mashed potatoes.
Mash the Potatoes with the Boursin cheese:
Return the drained potatoes to the pot & preheat the oven at 350°F
Add the butter and the block of Boursin cheese to the potatoes and begin mashing using a potato masher or a fork.
Add Milk, Fontina and Season:
Slowly pour in the milk while continuing to mash. Adjust the amount for your preferred creaminess.
When your favorite consistency has been reached, add half of the Shredded Fontina cheese and give it a good stir.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, add garlic powder or pre-cooked chopped bacon.
Transfer the mashed potatoes to an oven safe dish (scroll below to order mine).
Bake, Broil & Serve:
Top with the rest of the shredded Fontina cheese.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until bubbly.
Turn your oven on Broil
Babysit the dish until the Fontina is golden.
Sprinkle with chopped chives, if using, fresh parsley or thyme.
Make ahead of time
In preparation for the holiday gatherings, you can make this dish ahead of time. Achieve all of the steps before #7 and cover it with aluminum foil. The day of the gathering, allow your oven-safe dish to adapt to the temperature of the room prior to baking. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes and continue the recipe at step #7. After the 30 minutes baking time, give your potatoes a good stir and decide if it requires more baking time prior to broiling the Fontina.
You can keep this dish in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
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