I just realized something essential to my next week. Um… this is my first Thanksgiving! This is the first year, of my 33 years in the world, that I’m hosting my first totally-grown, matching-casserole-dishes, not-paperplate, make-all-the-pies THANKSGIVING at my New Orleans apartment with aaallll of my family.
I’m pretty sure this is a big deal.
I need a plan. I really need a plan.
Nervously tapping my foot, biting my nails, and drinking toooooo much coffee is not a plan, right? It’s the opposite of a plan.
I’m putting together a meal that is simple, casual, non-traditional, and filled with sides and pies. I’m not cooking a turkey… which either makes me THE WORST person, or a genius. Probably the worst, but even knowing that, I’m still not doing it. We’re going to enjoy a giant pot of gumbo and aaalll of the Thanksgiving sides, including these fluffy and earthy mashed potatoes.
The plan is coming together (and also includes a triple batch of this Mac and Cheese).
Being bigtime thankful is also part of the plan. Thankful for New Orleans, and visiting family, and warm gumbo, and mashed potatoes with roasted mushrooms. Thankful for all of the good and the gnarly and everything in between.
The Internet wants us to succeed next week:
• I’m definitely into group games… unless I have to act something out and hope people guess it: 10 Thanksgiving Games To Make The Holiday Fun For Everyone
• These Molasses Spice Cookies are developing quite the reputation here in New Orleans. I also love Jessica’s Thanksgiving Dos and Don’ts.
• I’m not making a turkey BUT I am ordering aaallll of the gumbo from Cochon Butcher.
• Dijon Maple Green Beans sound like juuust the ticket. They also have bacon and feta!
• Deb’s Pretzel Parker House Rolls! Just pretzel everything, thanks!
• Tracy’s Creamed Spinach should be an everyday thing, don’t you think?
Potatoes are peeled, quartered and boiled until soft and tender.
I drained the potatoes and placed them, steaming and warm, back in the boiling pot.
Cream cheese, butter, lots of salt and pepper and one fine potato masher. And go!
I also added whole milk to the potatoes, loosening them, smoothing the mixture, and making them lovely and creamy.
The mushrooms are roasted on high with olive oil, salt and pepper. They’ll brown and sizzle. A little bit of char is perfect! After the mushrooms are roasted, I like to toss them with salty chopped capers and bright chopped parsley.
Creamy smooth mashed potatoes topped with sizzling roasted mushrooms. Serve by the heaping spoonful next to your traditional turkey or a giant bowl of gumbo. Zero things will go wrong.
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes (about 2 pounds)
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 ounces unsalted butter
- coarse sea salt
- coarsely ground black pepper
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 pound baby portobella mushrooms, wiped clean of dirt
- 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
- coarse sea salt
- coarsely ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped capers
- 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- To make the potatoes, peel and slice each potato into quarters. Place in a large pot and fill with cool water to cover the potatoes.
- Place pot over medium high heat, uncovered, and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer until the potatoes are thoroughly cooked through. Test the potatoes by inserting a sharp thin knife. If the knife meets no resistance, the potatoes are done!
- Drain potatoes into a colander.
- Return the warm potato chunks back to the pan. Add cream cheese, butter, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup milk.
- Use a potato masher to quickly smash together the ingredients. The cream cheese and butter will melt as you mash.
- Taste and season with more salt and pepper as necessary.
- Add more milk and mash until your desired consistency is reached.
- Keep warm over very low heat before serving.
- To make the mushrooms, place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Wipe the mushrooms to remove any dirt. Leave the smaller mushrooms whole but halve and quarter the larger mushrooms.
- Spread mushrooms onto a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Roast until the mushrooms are softened, browned, and sizzling, about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of your mushrooms.
- Remove from the oven and toss with capers and parsley.
- Place the mashed potatoes in a serving dish and top with mushrooms. Serve warm and enjoy!
Amanda
Good luck with your Gumbo Thanksgiving! These look amazing, I’m so excited to make them today!
egeedee
Psh, you got this.
Dweelicious
i just ate this as an enitre meal, so delicious! love the salty bite of the capers. :)
Lori
Sounds delicious and so do those green beans! Happy Thanksgiving, Joy!
Charlotte
HUZZAH! I’m sooo not a fan of turkey. I’d love it if someone in my family broke out the gumbo and sides! Kudos to you lady.
shelly
i’m gonna go with genius. most thanksgivings i don’t even eat turkey. its all about the sides
Millie | Add A Little
Looks delicious! Have a lovely thanksgiving!
Sue
Joy,
I want to join your family!!! My cousin-your Aunt-in-law Judy will have to provide me with all of the details…including pictures I hope.
God Bless you and yours,
Sue Ann
Christy Thomas
That looks delicious!!
Stacy
Yum! I’d take Gumbo over turkey any day, even on Turkey Day.
Jen
Congrats on your first Thanksgiving – your menu and those potatoes sound AMAZING! I am a huge stalker fan that never comments but wanted to thank you so much for featuring my green beans! Made me giddy! Thanks Joy! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Mallory @forkvsspoon
Good luck with Thanksgiving! Non-traditional is the way to go – makes life so much more interesting!
Ella
I say no turkey=very smart. I hope you’ll photograph+share the finished spread here on the blog! Can’t wait to see how it all turns out :)
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
sharana @ Living The Sweet Life Blog
I think not cooking a turkey is pretty smart — and you still have the best part … the sides. These mashed potatoes — YUMM … and Mac & Cheese … HOLY MOLY and hello, pie – you’re throwing a damn skippy thanksgiving ;)
Tamara
Oh no, Joy! You’re a genius! And I love you. Thanks for being in my life on the internet.
haileyedancer
First off, I think you’re definitely being a genius. Second, these potatoes look like the ultimate comfort food. You have one lucky family!
xx, Hailey
Rosie
All the way from London – would macaroni cheese with bacon work as a thanksgiving dish?? You’ve solved one issue (definitely bringing the mushroom/tater combo) but I’m searching for the other….
Benthe
This looks so so good! Good luck on your first self-hosted Thanksgiving!
Chelsea @ A Duck's Oven
Yay first Thanksgiving! I actually love your idea of doing gumbo! That will be incredibly fun. These mashed potatoes look so amazing. I never would have thought to top them with mushrooms!
Ahuva
You make me drool and you make me laugh. Is that strange?
cheyenne
enjoy your thanksgiving! this dish definitely looks amazing, yum!
xo, cheyenne
Cecile
What a great combination – creamy mashed potatoes AND mushrooms. I’m ‘all over it’ !! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Cat Smith
Wow! Looks so yummy! I will definitely try it this weekend. I might put some cheese on the top and put it into the oven.
http://alonewithacamera.com/
Jayne | Tenacious Tinkering
Tracy’s Creamed Spinach AND this mushroom mash should be an everyday thing. We’ve got the dairy, the carbs, the veggie, the fibre.. Full meal there.
Holly
A very big deal! I’m 48, have hosted about 14 Thanksgivings and STILL don’t have matching casserole dishes! You will do great!
Ilona's Passion
Yum! Two ingredients that I love mushroom and potatoes:) Perfect dish for me!
Maryea {happy healthy mama}
I would put this on my Thanksgiving table. Last year was my first ever grown up hosting. I get the year off this year, so maybe next year. :)
Greg
Still trying to settle on a mashed potato recipe for Thanksgiving (first one here in 9 years). Would you serve the mashed potato part of this recipe by itself? I would love to do the mushrooms, but my daughter-in-law really does not like them She is a wonderful woman, and I don’t want to stress her on her first Thanksgiving with us.
Good luck with your Thanksgiving with your family!
Anne
That looks fluffy soft and scrumptious! Good luck on your Thanksgiving- I think your gumbo idea is bomb. Also, I know you are a busy gal, but I miss you and Tracy in my earbuds! Let’s hear of your Thanksgiving exploits and about life in New Orleans.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Good luck with your first Thanksgiving, Joy. I’m are you will nail it. And I’m down for skipping the turkey and having sides-giving. That’s really the best party anyway.
Meagen Fehlauer
I am going to be vacationing in NOLA next week, and I so hope I randomly run into you walking the streets of the French Quarter :)
Suzie
Have a Happy Thanksgiving , from across the river in St.Charles Parish.