A mashed potato bar may just be the best way to feed your party guests.
So, you’re having friends over, and you want to feed them something more substantial than the basic cheese-and-crackers number. At the same time, you may not have the extra funds to dish out a full-blown, multi-course, sit-down meal. You could always settle for the expected bean chili or stick to the classic nachos á la Rotel, but for those who are as shamelessly indulgent as my friends and I are, it’s hard to beat the appeal of a mashed potato bar.
Potatoes are one of the most cost-effective foods out there, and it’s generally pretty easy to make mashed potatoes. However, if you can’t bear the thought of lugging all those potatoes home, you can use the instant boxed variety as well. Once you add in enough butter and top the potatoes with all the toppings you have laying around, you won’t even be able to tell they came out of a box.
Start with the classics: Bacon, cream cheese, scallions, shredded cheese and ham are a great place to start. But don’t be afraid to branch out and try something new. For example, beans can add some heartiness to your potato bar, as can a variety of meats. Some sliced flank steak is a great option if you want to feed people really well, but even some diced chicken breast can make things more interesting.