Travelin' with VerDell and Lurlene

Self Medicating….In the Comfort Zone

The experts will tell you straight out that comfort foods; be they warm, soft and starchy or salty, sweet and crunchy are most often consumed in response to emotional stress.  That being said, I am so grateful that I had that five pound bag of taters in the pantry last week.   That and cheese, but the cheese story will have to come later.

I was tellin' a friend about my Christmas and all the things that went on and she said, "Good Lord, it sounds more like the "Little Advent Calendar of Horrors."  I rolled...and even imagined what that little calendar would look like.  But bein as I don't want to put energy into that project...I decided to cook up something instead. 

I know I talk a lot about usin' food for comfort, but I also use talkin with good friends who share my wicked sense of humor to bust out the boogy zone.   Can't beat'um...or mash'um or butter'um but they are the best medicine in the world.

Thanks everyone...for helpin me eat taters, and broccoli casseroles and all things fat and fluffy!  You save me every day.

Mashed Taters

The ultimate comfort food: can be substituted for Xanax or Zoloft as long as walking five miles is added to your daily routine.

5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces

2 teaspoons salt, plus more, to taste

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1 1/4 cups half-and-half, heated

 Freshly ground white pepper, to taste

Put the potatoes and the 2 teaspoons salt in a large pot, add water to cover the potatoes by 3 inches and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. 

Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently cook the potatoes until they are tender when pierced with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well in a colander. 

Add the butter and gradually add the half-and-half, beating constantly with a large spoon, until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Season with salt and white pepper and transfer to a warmed serving dish or a soup bowl that fits comfortably on your lap. 

Serve immediately. Serves 8 to 10 or 1 to 2, jus depends.