#184 Touchdown Mash Potato Bar and little bites..........

How was Super Bowl Sunday for my readers? I didn't have any  plans for super bowl night, since we decided to stay home. The last thing any football fan needs is to be away from their TV on Super Sunday. Watching the NY Giants and the New England Patriots 'tug-of-war' for the Super Powers in Indianapolis was a bit boring in the first half but the end was so exciting as the Giants made it to the top. The high-light of the show for me was Madonna's Half-time show with all the old-time classics that she brought back to life with her classic performance---I thought it was even better than some of the commercials this time!!

A couple of friends called to see if they could drop by on their way home to the game.  I peeked in my pantry and freezer, pulled out a few tricks from my hat:) The kickoff for the 46th Superbowl at Lucas Oil Stadium was scheduled for  6:30 pm leaving me little time to get some quick finger foods. Fortunately, I had some leftover tuna cutlets (frozen last week) and some store bought pizza that I thawed out of the freezer--- always helps!! You've probably heard of Touchdown Chili or dip but who knew what a Touchdown potato Bar could do for a couple of hungry folks?

A store brought pizza set up on the table, for starters  Tuna Cutlets, my younger daughter V's special
Guacamole  a few drinks to wash them down and something a little more rich and hearty with a terrific appearance- a potato bar. I'm pushing all light, low-cal eats to the back seat for now and we do need a  big blast of energy to watch NFL.

 I was introduced to a mashed potato bar a few months back. We were attending a reception for my younger daughter V's graduation ceremony and along with dainty gourmet finger foods there was an impressive mashed potato 'bar' which really caught my attention.  Why? A staple food like the potato, was so artfully converted into a Gourmet treat by perfect composition and food styling.  It said a lot about making Gourmet meals on a budget and giving it an attractive feature to draw a crowd. I said to myself  "I don't have to spend a fortune on an expensive steak or Lobster to create an elegant spread,  it just took a bit of imagination and creativity to make something so simple".  Times are tough these days and money is tight, so what better way to be frugal than to make a "recession-style" Gourmet mash bar at a Super Bowl gathering?  You can go all out with special attention for each individual guest at your next large party. Make sure to set up pretty glass dessert cups and spoons to scoop, that way guests choose to top or layer with as many or as few toppings as they like. 

Ingredients:
4 Potatoes.
11/2 cup cream
6 cloves garlic
1 1/2 stick Sweet cream butter
1  Chicken gravy Packet
1 cup bottled medium heat Salsa
1 cup Sour Cream
1 cup chopped scallions
1 cup Bacon bits
1 cup grated cheese
1 cup Sausage and Mushroom scramble
Salt and pepper to taste

The highlight of my Super Sunday Spread:)

Brown bread sandwiches with Almond Butter, Guava Jelly and crushed salt and pepper potato chips.

Directions:
1. Place a Heavy bottomed pan half-filled with cold water on the stove and let it boil.or Use a Crockpot with water.
2. Meanwhile, wash and scrape the skins off of the potato and garlic.
3. Cube the potatoes and add to the boiling water along with the garlic.
4. Let them cook well and drain most of the water out. Don't drain completely since
the water gets absorbed very fast in the cooked potato.
5. Add enough salt and pepper to it and turn off the fire after a moment.
6. Add warm cream and 1 stick of butter and mix and mash with a potato masher.
7. When ready to eat, place the warm mash into a serving bowl. Slice a few cubes butter
just before re-heating the mash for serving.
8. Make the gravy and place in a dessert bowl.
9. Place all the rest of the ingredients in seperate dessert bowls from the same set.
This is a good opportunity to dust off some of those beautiful dessert sets or bowls
you have in your kitchen cabinet and display them:)
10. Have little cups or bowls and spoons for guests to make their own topping combinations.