YUMMY POTATO VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

RECIPES THAT DON’T REQUIRE YOU TO THINK TOO MUCH, PLAN AHEAD OR DO ANYTHING TOO HARD OR TOO SCARY.

This is one of those easy peasy recipes that you can fall back on whenever you need something that works for everyone and doesn't take too much time or effort to put together. You can make it three different ways: (1) using regular potatoes that you peel, cut up and boil just as you would for normal mashed potatoes or (2) using instant potatoes that are easy to make and taste almost as good, but not quite and (3) using baked potatoes that you happen to have on hand because you made extras the last time you baked potatoes which is what I did in this recipe. I love having extra baked potatoes around because you can do so many different things with them and this recipe is just one of the many. Also, this recipe can be used as a meatless main dish or as a nifty side dish that kills two birds with one stone--the vegetable and the potato part of the meal. If you have ever eaten at Tucano's Brazilian restaurant you know how wonderful their mashed potatoes with melted cheese on top is, and this potato recipe is very similar to that. I guarantee that you will love it and so will your family.

1. First you take 3-4 large potatoes, cut them up and boil them until they are very soft.

2. Next you steam 4 cups of fresh vegetables for 3 minutes. I used broccoli, peas, carrots, beans and corn. You can use any combination that your family likes either fresh or frozen.

3. When the potatoes are cooked you mash them until most if not all of the lumps are gone.

Then you add:

3 oz. cream cheese

1/4 C. sour cream

1/4 C. melted butter

1 T. dry chives

2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. salt

Mash all of this together with the potatoes. Then put them into a greased or sprayed oven-proof casserole dish.

4. Make a hole in the center and add the steamed vegetables.

5. Cover the entire dish with grated cheddar cheese.

6. Cover the dish with aluminum foil that has been sprayed on the under side with Pam so the cheese won't stick to it.

7. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until it is hot clear through and the cheese has had a chance to melt and it is bubbling hot. There you have it! Serve immediately. Serves 4-6. Enjoy!