I need some ideas.

We are having a mashed potato bar at my daughters graduation party at the end of June and I need some topping ideas. So far I have chives, cheese, bacon, gravy, sour cream and butter. What else sounds good?

Roasted Red Pepper
French fried Onion
Olives
Roasted Chicken
Butter
Variety of Cheeses
Salsa
Pesto
Fresh Tomatoes

Broccoli
Nacho cheese

Forgot about Pulled pork.

Butter,bacon,butter,bacon,butter and more bacon!!

If you need a taste tester shoot me a PM.

Most people don’t understand the relationship me and mashed potatoes have, and now I hear of this potatoe bar? Serious? I’m not going to be able to sleep now. This is amazing, almost a whole new world has opened itself to me.

nhamm wrote:

Most people don’t understand the relationship me and mashed potatoes have, and now I hear of this potatoe bar? Serious? I’m not going to be able to sleep now. This is amazing, almost a whole new world has opened itself to me.

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Are mashed potato bars a new thing? I have never heard of this and I like it!!

Am I the only one who finds it funny who responded first?

Corn, creamed corn.

Take the mashed potato bar a step further by offering a couple variations. Whipped sweet potatoes are fun – be sure to have brown sugar, honey, marshmallows, caramel sauce, cinnamon, sugar and lots of butter to make them extra scrumptious. See how pumpkin adds flavor to sweet potatoes with this recipe for Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Casserole. For guests looking for something a little lighter, consider mashed cauliflower (really, it’s good!) with this recipe for Roasted Cauliflower Mash. Just be sure to label it on the buffet, so it isn’t mistaken for the real deal.

http://www.meals.com/recipe/smashed-potatoes-125814

http://www.meals.com/recipe/creamy-smashed-red-potatoes-with-cheese-143192

http://www.meals.com/recipe/sweet-potato-and-pumpkin-casserole-144158

http://www.meals.com/recipe/sweet-potato-and-pumpkin-casserole-144158

Spreads & Sauces

Butter
Pesto
BBQ sauce, store-bought or make MAGGI® BBQ Sauce
Gravies
Sour cream
Whipped butter
Horseradish

Seasonings

Pepper
Salt
MAGGI® seasoning blends
Tortilla chips, crushed

Veggies

Mushrooms, sautéed
Broccoli, steamed
LIBBY’S® Pumpkin
Squash, like zucchini – sautéed or grilled
Roasted pumpkin seeds
Sundried tomatoes
Tomatoes, chopped fresh
Onion – caramelized, fried or fresh

Proteins

Bacon
BBQ pulled pork or beef
Chicken, roasted or grilled
Chicken strips, store bought or make Chicken Strips
Shrimp, sautéed or grilled shrimp
Salmon, smoked
Sausage – sliced (whole); crumbled (ground)
Cheeses, crumbled or shredded – Bleu, Gorgonzola, cheddar, feta, parmesan

“Daughter’s Graduation Party” ?????

Time flies!

SR

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

Am I the only one who finds it funny who responded first?

I found it very funny!! Apparently we need to talk more because I had no idea that Francis had thought about it that much.

Thanks for the ideas! I like the sweet potato idea but I am not sure I am up for making them. We still have 40 more pounds of potatoes to peel, cook & mash.

Amanda wanted something different so we thought outside the sandwich, taco & pulled pork box.

Yep, Francis and I almost have an adult child. Time definitely flies!!

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dont forget potato cakes!! let mashed potatoes cool overnight,when ready for the party,grab a cup or so and flatten it out about the size of a pancake,fry it on both sides and serve.

Maybe I am more of a potato purist than some here, but half the items mentioned above have no place on taters, with all respect, but shrimp, olives really??

Butter is a must, regular and whipped, whipped melts faster and is less mess in the tub, but sticks taste better IMO.

I don’t get how people not like certain types of gravy, but there are those out there. A lot depends on the meat being served but having a couple choices would be good, I’m no wine guy but similar to having a red white available to accompany the protein.

Fresh chives are great, but this is America and we like our processed foods and Ill admit it any day top the tater kind of combines the deliciousness into one easy clean squeezable bottle. And this brings up a good sequencing point on the “bar”, but having the gravy and sour cream as one of the first things after the taters might be a good idea, bc the toppings should reflect on what kind of base goes on first. Maybe this is overthinking

Is there a BBQ or some other kind of meat going with this or is this all in one kind of deal here? Meats going in the taters have to be really seasoned to add any element of taste. They usually get lost in the gravy etc, and at that point its more of a texture. And if there is a meat being served separately I say let that be the meat and leave the taters alone. Fresh bacon crumbles never hurts though.

Running up to the 5-8 Bar and grabbing one of their onion straw baskets would make for awesome topping, but Frenchs works in a pinch to.

Grilled asparagus cut up into small chunks actually taste really good, I’m a big fan of corn, but this is a close second. Anyone who has gotten the chicken Madura at the Cheesecake factory knows this combo.

Id blab on as I do take taters very seriously but what a great idea and Congrats to your daughter!

Mac n Cheese!

Don’t forget to put cream cheese in the mashed potatoes.

The pesto suggestion really hit the nail on the head.

How about cheese curds?

Turkey or chicken gravy with big chunks of turkey or chicken.

nhamm, I appreciate your potato passion!

OK. here is my fat mans input,,,
I nod to the obvious,
butter
onions
bacon
sour cream
chives
Terragon (here is a new one!)
Salt and Pepper (new again Mr. Obvious)
corn
cheese (your favorite of course)
Pulled pork, then chicken, then brisket) in that order
I’ve got other suggestions still,,

But

NO ONE HAS MENTIONED GOOD OLE` CHILE ! Whether it be hot or down home mild.

I never knew one could do so much with a potato! All these ideas sound delicious and congrats to the graduate!

Did you say party? The fun doesn’t begin until the fun begins! The best thing you can do with mashed potatoes.

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Thanks everyone. This thread has definitely given me some food for thought (pun intended).