Bacon-Spinach Mashed Potatoes

Manami's Note:

Serve these mashed potatoes as a delicious side dish. You can serve it with a roast, with poultry, with a steak even with fish! ;) This dish is tasty enough to eat alone with a green salad! This is a perfect dish with roast turkey or a chicken. The idea started with an eRECIPE from CuisineAtHome., April 21/2009 newsletter.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 5 cups

• 6 slices thick-sliced bacon , diced
• 2 lbs russet potatoes , peeled, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed (tasted great) or 2 garlic cloves , roasted (tasted stupendous)
• 9 ounces fresh spinach
• 3 tablespoons of onion cream cheese with chives (low cal room temperature)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
• kosher salt
• 2 pinches crushed red pepper flakes

Directions:

1. Sauté bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp; drain bacon on a paper-towel-lined plate.
2. Boil potatoes and garlic(if not already roasted) in a large pot of salted water until potatoes are tender when pierced, about 15 minutes.
3. Just before draining, stir in spinach to wilt.
4. Drain potatoes, garlic(if you use the roasted - add it now), and spinach; return to pot and cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes to evaporate excess moisture.
5. Add cream cheese, cream, butter, and bacon.
6. Coarsely crush potatoes with a masher; season with salt and crushed red pepper flakes.