Creamy Fried Bacon Mashed Potatoes

Most of the recipes I post on here aren't that bad for you - it's just that... well... the "less healthy" ones tend to stand out more because... uh... they're just so darn good... that's why! And speaking of good... and, take note, this recipe will NOT be found on your Weight Watchers list, folks... this Creamy Fried Bacon Mashed Potatoes recipe completes a Sunday evening dinner perfectly!  It goes well with fried chicken, steak or pork chops and works well for those Springtime potlucks... people will be on this like a piranhas to blood. Ms. Paula Deen can be credited for this hearty, Southern creation... y'all! ;-)

Creamy Fried Bacon Mashed Potatoes

by Paul Dean

Ingredients:

3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
Kosher salt
6 tablespoons butter, divided
1 shallot, finely minced
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sour cream
4 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 tablespoons fresh chopped chives, 1 tablespoon reserved, for garnish



Directions:

1. Place the potatoes into large pot and cover with cold water. Salt generously. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for roughly 13 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.

2. While the potatoes are boiling, melt 1 tablespoon of butter into a saucepot. Add the minced shallot and saute until soft. Add the cream and rest of the butter being sure not to bring to a boil.

3. Drain potatoes in a colander. Return to pot and mash with a potato masher. As soon as they are mashed slowly add in the hot cream and butter. Stir slowly and do not overwork or the potatoes will be heavy. Add the sour cream and the bacon and fold in the chives. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

4. Cut a round in the top of the bread. Pull off and remove top, reserve. Pull out all of the soft bread inside. Be careful not to take out too much, as you want this to be a serving vehicle for your mashed potatoes.

5. Place potatoes in bread and garnish with chives.