My wife and I went to a "High End" restaurant recently, beyond the expensive entry way and the valet parking nothing about this evening with regards to food equaled high end! Of course our four course meal was Al A Cart, so as each disappointing plate hit the table the only thing I could think of was to ask for another $8 Corona. 

Silly little things get under my skin like, saying that the mushrooms in the salad were Shitake when in fact they were portabella's. My salad was also suppose to be topped with a Lemon and truffle oil dressing... Olive oil at best..And who would mix lemon with Truffle Oil anyways?! A small glimmer happened when my steak arrived, the steak albeit small was cooked perfectly and the sauce rocked. The side I ordered with my steak was Blue Cheese Smashed potatoes. Can you guess what they tasted like? Yup, smashed potatoes with a hint of Blue Cheese. And because they were Al A Cart my side of mashed potatoes cost $10. Ten dollars for ordinary mashed potatoes and a drizzle of creamed Blue Cheese. 

Now, you might say Ernie, what did you expect them to taste like? I'm glad you asked!! If I'm paying $10 dollars for a side of mashed freaking potatoes I expect to see and taste a little culinary creativity, a slight departure from the norm would be nice at this place where the Valet will make more money in one evening than I did in a week while working at China King during High School! That's China King in Belleville Michigan, I'd like to say I was there expanding my culinary prowess into other cuisines but alas, I was the dishwasher. LOL. 

So please after my spending $132 dollars on sub par dinner allow me to share some snazzy ways to jazz up yer taters!  

Substitute your boiling water for chicken broth. This simple step really accents the finished product. Throw a few sprigs of thyme in that water and finish with garlic butter... Now we're talking! I love to throw two large onions in the water as well, they don't get used in the final product but they impart great flavor.

-OR- Substitute your water with milk. This takes more time as you do not want to scorch the milk but oh is it worth it!! Again you can add fresh herbs carrots, onions or parsnips. Separate and finish the potatoes like you normally would but blend the other vegetables to make a wonderful sauce! Have fun with it! But what do I know, I am Just The Cook.