Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

This is a really easy way to make mashed potatoes when you are making a big meal with many other dishes to prepare. You can throw the potatoes into the slow cooker and forget about them for several hours while you cook everything else. Then they just need a quick mash before serving.

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

½ large onion, diced

1 cup chicken stock

1½ - 2 tsp salt

2 tbsp butter

½ cup milk

Directions:

Place potatoes in slow cooker. Place diced onion in a small bowl with water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Do not drain; add to slow cooker. Add chicken stock and salt. Cook on high about 4 hours or until potatoes are tender. Mash with potato masher or stick blender. Stir in butter and milk.

Makes 6 servings.

Note:

Make them loaded mashed potatoes by adding cooked bacon pieces to slow cooker with potatoes and stock. Add sliced green onions and cheddar cheese after mashing.

Couldn't be easier. The onions aren't a traditional mashed potato ingredient, and you can certainly leave them out, but I really like the flavor they give and because they are cooked before adding to the crock, they get so soft while cooking that no one even will know they are there. Only their flavor remains.

These are not only great for special occasions when you are making a big meal, but also for busy weeknights. It seems like it takes forever for a big pot of potatoes to boil on the stove. And while I am definitely not above using instant potatoes, sometimes you just want the real thing.

You will have to play around with the amount of salt. How much you need will depend on your tastes and also how much sodium is in the chicken stock you use.