Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Ham Bits

The Ro-Ri household is big on potatoes. We like it fried, boiled, mashed, curried, in soups, you name it, it is all good. With teenage boys who are very appreciative of food, potatoes make the dish go a longer way.

I had some sandwich ham which was a little more crumbly than usual. It is good, nitrate-free ham with great flavor but the slices just would not hold together. So, I thought it might be better off pan-fried to a crisp and used as a topping. Now, what better to go with tasty ham bits than mashed potatoes! Perhaps I can do away with the gravy. With three very willing taste testers, I set to work. Ro-Ri San and the boys loved it!

I prefer using the waxy variety of potatoes like Yukon Gold for my mash as it gives a rich, buttery flavor. I also like the deep yellow color.

Ro-Ri’s Mashed Potatoes with Ham Bits
2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
½ cup half and half
3 tbsp butter
½ tsp dry mustard powder
salt and pepper to taste
4 oz shaved ham

In a fry pan, add 1 tbsp oil, pan-fry ham till crispy.

Remove and set aside.

In a pot, add potatoes and water to cover the potatoes. Add some salt, if desired. Cook for about 20 minutes or until fork tender. Remove and drain. Add butter, half and half, mustard powder, salt, and pepper to the warm potatoes. Mash potatoes with a masher.

Add half the ham bits and mix well into the mashed potatoes.

To serve, scoop onto plate, topped with remaining ham bits.

The complete meal above is shown with broccoli orange salad (posting to follow) and sauerkraut sausage. Here in Minnesota we have butchers that sell delicious cured meats and sausages. The meats are really fresh and juicy. The summer sausages are simply great!