Baked Smashed Potatoes. A twist on a classic Thanksgiving side dish.

Yes, yes.  I know that veggies are very good for me, but I just am not a big veggie fan.  (I make up for it in other ways.)  However, I do love me some potatoes...  With Thanksgiving coming up, I wanted to put a little spin on regular mashed potatoes by making some Baked Smashed Potatoes.

 

While we like mashed potatoes and gravy as much as the next guys, my family also loves baked potatoes with all the fixin's.  (Grant especially... I've seen that kid eat his weight in loaded baked potatoes!)

This is yummy, satisfying and easier than traditional mashed potatoes.  Here's what you'll need:

One of the things I really like about this dish is that you can eyeball everything.  All amounts can be added according to your tastes.  Simple!  More salt?  Less salt?  It's up to you!  Don't like green onions on your baked potatoes?  Leave 'em out.  It's totally up to you.  Anyway, here's what you need to do.

I usually figure on 2 to 3 medium sized per person.  (I have boys, remember...)  Wash the potatoes, and poke them in several places with a fork or knife.  Put them on a baking sheet, spray the potatoes and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Pop those babies into a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes, or an hour or so.
While they're baking, dice and fry the bacon.  I always cook bacon over a medium - low heat... that way the fat renders off slowly and gets nice and crispy.  mmmm.  Bacon.

When the potatoes are done baking, give them a very rough chop and put them in a large bowl.

Once the potatoes are in the bowl, add in the Country Crock spread, sour cream, fresh pepper (as much or as little as you want!) and the garlic powder. Use a potato masher to sort of mash/mix/smoosh it all together.  Country Crock is nice for this because it doesn't have hydrogenated oils or trans fat in it.  This particular kind has added calcium too.  You might be wondering why I even care about health in a dish laden with cheese and bacon....  Um, for the very reason that it's full of cheese and bacon.  Wherever you can fit in a healthier choice, I say do it!

Speaking of cheese and bacon.  Now's the time to add it.

Do not use the masher to incorporate these ingredients into the potatoes.  You want them kind of chunky and, well, smashed.  Use a spoon to kind of fold it all together.

Give it a taste.  This is where you should be adding more sour cream and Country Crock if you'd like it a little creamier.  How's the salt and pepper?  Tweak what you need to, then get out of the way....  they will knock you down trying to get to these potatoes.

It's a little scoop of Thanksgiving comfort.  For more Thanksgiving side dish ideas, be sure to check out The Crock Country Chronicle for recipes.  You can also follow the Country Crock Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dish pin board to see recipes from some of your favorite bloggers.

The nice people at Country Crock are going to set you up with some Thanksgiving goodness too!

A set of 4 of these cute Harvest Pumpkin Tiny Taper Holders from Williams Sonoma and
one of these Italian Scalloped Bakers and matching Wire Rack to hold it, from Sur La Table!  How cute are these?!

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Thank you to Country Crock for being a sponsor. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.


  about Vivienne Wagner