Pip's Plate

Mashed potatoes to me have always seemed to be a fun, easy and versatile side dish. I’ve often made them with garlic, fresh herbs, cream cheese, a different kind of cheese, wasabi, etc.

But the other night, I made the most incredible mashed potatoes and they were so simple. I discovered the next day when talking to a friend at pre-thanksgiving dinner that the unforgettable taste of those potatoes came from the actual potato I used: buttercream.

I bought them on a whim. Maybe I was nostalgic and thinking back to 2 years ago when my best friend got married and everything, and I mean everything, was buttercream. Buttercream bridesmaids dresses, buttercream purses, buttercream frosting…you get the idea.

So I thought buttercream potatoes ought to be worth a try. Whoa – it’s going to be hard to go back to any other kind after those mashed potatoes!

When I was talking with my friend about the potatoes and told her how delicious they were yet how simple, I was still incredulous over them. Once I mentioned I used buttercream potatoes, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed, “Oooooooh….buttercream potatoes!”

Needless to say, she said they’re great boiled just on their own. Oops. I guess the extra butter, milk and sour cream I added was unnecessary? I think not.

Oh Glorious Mashed Potatoes

2# bag of buttercream potatoes

2 garlic cloves, peeled

1 t salt

1/3 c sour cream

2 T butter

1/4 c milk

To prepare the potatoes you really have to do nothing other than wash them. However, I wasn’t really paying attention, so I peeled half of them and quartered all of them – this is unnecessary.

Place the potatoes and garlic in a pot with 3 quarts of water and bring to a boil. When the water starts to boil, check the potatoes to see if they’re done. Simply stick a fork or knife through one of them and if it slides in easy – you got it, like butter – then they’re done. They may need a couple minutes at a soft boil.

Drain then place back in pot. Add sour cream, butter, milk and salt and pepper to taste. Mash it all up and serve.

I promised pictures. Here they are. It’s incredibly beautiful here in the morning. I’m told the mornings are always foggy like this and later in the day it’s sunny, which is true. But I think I like the mysterious fog in the morning more than the obvious sunlight. This post is entirely un-food related. It’s good to shake things up once in a while.

I woke up this morning thinking, “Wow. I never thought I’d be turning 27 and be in La Jolla, CA, by myself for some metaphysical science conference.” But you know what? Since I watched the plane land in San Diego last night at sunset, through the misty layer of fog hovering over the mountains, I have felt right at home. Knowing that I am in the right place right now.

So here I am. In La Jolla. Never been here. Ok, so my first thought when I got to my hotel was, of course, “What am I going to do about dinner?”

Lo and behold, I have wireless in my room. Hallelujah! (Thank you, internet for making my life so easy.)  So I ho onto Google maps to check out some restaurants in my area – there are quite a few. But then I head over to chowhound.com and find that there is a delicious Thai restaurant 2 blocks from where I’m staying.

I instantly felt in the mood for Thai. But then again, just like I can always eat, I can always eat Thai.

So I read about Spice & Rice.  Check out their menu online. Confirm that this is the place I will be having dinner from tonight. I ordered takeout. Fried tofu with vegetables and red curry sauce and an order of spring rolls.

I thought the fried tofu sounded good but not too out there. Wow, was I wrong. I haven’t tasted anything quite like this before. The tofu was battered in a light, crispy batter and fried. Oh – it was good. Fried food? Bring it on. Then the sauce was…amazingly light for a coconut cream curry. They had to have used coconut cream and not coconut milk. The sauce was thick yet light, sweet yet tangy. And the best part? It had a hint of lemongrass and kaffir lime. Oh do I love kaffir lime.

It was goooood. The spring rolls were also good, but nothing to really write home about. I think I need to stop ordering spring rolls. The last few times I’ve had them I’ve been somewhat disappointed. Well, not necessarily disappointed more than underwhelmed. Sort of…beige.

Well, I’m off to explore the beaches of La Jolla this morning. I’m sure I’ll come back with some pictures.