Roasted Garlic and Bacon Mashed Potatoes are a delicious and creamy side dish to add to the Thanksgiving table or any meal. Is there anyone on this planet who doesn’t like mashed potatoes? I don’t think so. Along with turkey‚ mashed potatoes are a must on the Thanksgiving table. Of course plain mashed potatoes are irresistible on their own‚ but these have heightened flavor from roasted garlic and bacon. Next to cooking mashed potatoes in a crockpot‚ these Roasted Garlic and Bacon Mashed Potatoes might be my favorite way to make mashed potatoes. The sweetness of the roasted garlic combined with the saltiness of the bacon makes them a stand out. Roasting garlic really mellows and sweetens its flavor and it is super easy to do. Which type of potatoes to use? I used russet potatoes‚ but you could also use Yukon gold potatoes. I think they make an even creamier mashed potato. Why are my mashed potatoes gluey? Overmixing the potatoes can make them develop a gluey texture as it can overwork the starch. This is more likely to happen if you are using an electric mixer. I prefer to use either a potato masher or a potato ricer. Drain the potatoes well. After you cook the potatoes‚ you’ll want to drain them well to prevent watery mashed potatoes. This year add some extra flavor to your Thanksgiving with Roasted Garlic and Bacon Mashed Potatoes. They go great with Cajun Roast Turkey or Crock Pot Turkey Breast. More Mashed Potato Recipes Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes Bacon-Green Onion Mashed Potatoes Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Duke’s Mayonnaise Mashed Potatoes Print Roasted Garlic and Bacon Mashed Potatoes Roasted Garlic and Bacon Mashed Potatoes are a delicious and creamy side dish to add to the Thanksgiving table or any meal. Course Side DishCuisine AmericanKeyword Thanksgiving Prep Time 40 minutes minutesCook Time 15 minutes minutesTotal Time 55 minutes minutes Servings 6 Calories 382kcal Author Christin Mahrlig EquipmentPotato Masher Ingredients1 head garlic1 tablespoon olive oil3 pounds russet potatoes‚ peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes2 1/2 teaspoons salt‚ divided1 cup half-and-half4 tablespoons butter‚ cut into 1/2 tablespoon pieces1/2 teaspoon pepper4 slices bacon‚ cooked and crumbled2 green onions‚ sliced InstructionsHeat oven to 350 degrees. Cut off very top of garlic head. Drizzle olive oil into garlic and wrap in foil. Place in oven for 30 minutes. Let cool.Place potatoes in a Dutch oven‚ cover with water‚ and add 1 teaspoon salt to water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes‚ or until potatoes are tender. Drain well.Place half-and-half in Dutch oven and heat over medium heat until warm. Remove from heat and add potatoes. Add butter pieces.Squeeze garlic from skins into Dutch oven. Add remaining salt and the pepper. Mash well with a potato masher.Mix in bacon and green onions. NotesYou can use yukon gold potatoes in place of russet potatoes. To add even more flavor‚ place a few pats of butter on top of the hot mashed potatoes so it melts all over them. Nutritional info is provided as an estimate only and will vary based on brands of products used. NutritionCalories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 1163mg | Potassium: 1044mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 425IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2mgWant to Save This Recipe?Save This Recipe Originally posted November 19‚ 2014. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. The post Roasted Garlic and Bacon Mashed Potatoes appeared first on Spicy Southern Kitchen.

Eggnog Poke Cake is a vanilla cake poked with an eggnog pudding that really shines through and spices on top give that give it that nice holiday touch! A FESTIVE HOLIDAY POKE CAKE Nothing screams the holidays quite like eggnog‚ and there’s no better way to enjoy this festive beverage than in a delicious Eggnog Poke Cake! This moist and creamy cake is rich and flavorful‚ the perfect addition to any holiday celebration. From the creamy‚ vanilla eggnog pudding filling to the moist vanilla cake‚ this joyful poke cake will brighten up your holiday dessert table. Such a lovely cake for the holiday! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Can I use a different pudding mix? Sure‚ instead of vanilla pudding mix‚ try cheesecake pudding or white chocolate pudding instead. Either would be a delicious flavor combination. Can I add some alcohol? You bet. Make this an adults-only cake by adding ¼ cup of rum in place of ¼ cup of the eggnog for an alcoholic version. Can I swap out the Cool Whip frosting? Of course! Feel free to use a cream cheese frosting or eggnog frosting on top of this poke cake instead. How to store this poke cake? This Eggnog Cake needs to be kept in the refrigerator when not actively eating it. You can store leftover cake‚ covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or you could freeze it for up to 3 months. INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE) vanilla cake mix – you could use a yellow cake mix as well. Any cake mix you think will go well with an eggnog pudding would work just fine. eggs‚ oil and water – these are the ingredients used to make the cake itself. You’ll use the amounts called for on the back of the box. Some cake mixes call for different amounts so instant vanilla pudding mix – be sure you don’t grab the cook and serve type of pudding‚ that one requires heat to set up and if you accidentally use it‚ the pudding will never set up. The wording can sometimes be hard to see on the boxes so you need to pay close attention as they are often right next to each other on the grocery shelf. eggnog – you can use store bought or make your own Homemade Eggnog. whipped topping – (the brand name is Cool Whip) just remember when you buy whipped topping that it comes frozen so you will need to stick it into the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to thaw. You can also make a homemade whipped cream if you like. ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg – these are for sprinkling on top. You can just use cinnamon if you like. I wouldn’t skip it altogether though because this really tops it off nicely and gives it that additional holiday flavor. HOW TO MAKE EGGNOG POKE CAKE Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare the cake mix and bake per the directions on the back of the box. When the cake comes out of the oven‚ take a wooden utensil handle or something similar and poke holes all over the cake‚ about 1 inch apart. In a large bowl‚ whisk together the pudding mix and eggnog until smooth. Pour pudding over the cake. Take care to pour it right into the holes as much as possible. Spread it all out‚ and using the back of the spoon‚ gently push the pudding down into the holes. Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours to set. Spread the whipped topping on top of the cake and place it in the refrigerator again for 2 hours or longer to set. When ready to serve‚ add the ground cinnamon and nutmeg for garnish. Slice and serve. CRAVING MORE RECIPES? Homemade Instant Pot EggnogClassic Homemade EggnogHoliday Blondies (+Video)Egg Nog Pudding ShotsChocolate Poke Cake (+Video) Print Eggnog Poke Cake This holiday inspired dessert features an eggnog pudding in a vanilla cake with a whipped cream topping and sprinkled with warm spices. Course DessertCuisine AmericanKeyword Eggnog Poke Cake Prep Time 15 minutes minutesCook Time 33 minutes minutesChill Time 4 hours hoursTotal Time 4 hours hours 48 minutes minutes Servings 12 servings Calories 269kcal Author Brandie @ The Country Cook Ingredients1 box vanilla cake mixingredients needed to make: eggs‚ oil and water (use the amounts called for on the back of the box)1 (3.4 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix2 cups eggnog8 ounce tub whipped toppingground cinnamon‚ for toppingground nutmeg‚ for topping InstructionsPreheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.Prepare the cake mix and bake per the directions on the back of the box. When the cake comes out of the oven‚ take a wooden utensil handle or something similar and poke holes all over the cake‚ about 1 inch apart. In a large bowl‚ whisk together the pudding mix and eggnog until smooth. Pour pudding over the cake. Take care to pour it right into the holes as much as possible. Spread it all out‚ and using the back of the spoon‚ gently push the pudding down into the holes. Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours to set.Spread the whipped topping on top of the cake and place it in the refrigerator again for 2 hours or longer to set. When ready to serve‚ sprinkle the ground cinnamon and nutmeg on top. Slice and serve. Keep cake covered and refrigerated. Notes Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions. NutritionCalories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 401mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 1mg

Today's infrared lasers are only powerful enough to disable aerial targets‚ but scientists now have the keys to building high-powered laser weaponry that can 'melt' distant targets.

The massive‚ extinct millipede Arthropleura has been brought back to life in a stunning reconstruction for the Netflix series "Life on Our Planet."

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons aimed to put the band to bed 23 years before concluding their "End of the Road" trip. Continue reading…

B is for Beatles...and big money. Continue reading…

An Arizona tribal police officer has been accused of killing a young mother in a hit-and-run incident on Thanksgiving Day — and then returning to the scene to help with the investigation. Josh Anderson‚ 49‚ reportedly even went with other officers to the victim’s home on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation to notify her family… The post Scumbag Cop Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run After Boldly Responding to Call and Notifying Next of Kin appeared first on The Federalist Papers.

Leave it to New York to come up with a new plan for governmental overreach. A bill introduced in October and currently in the committee stage in the New York State Assembly would require “criminal history background checks for the purchase of three-dimensional printers capable of creating firearms.” Sponsored by Democratic Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar‚… The post Liberal Lawmakers Propose Draconian New Bill to Regulate‚ Restrict Purchase of 3-D Printers appeared first on The Federalist Papers.

In this issue‚ we’re breaking a tradition. Typically‚ this column focuses on knives or pocket tools that are carried in the pocket and are photographed at a 1:1 ratio so they appear life-sized. While that’s great for most typical EDC gear‚ it shortchanges the reader on some knives or tools that are larger than the height of the magazine. So be forewarned‚ the camp and field knives seen here are larger in reality than they appear on this page. While knife steels and knife designs have improved by leaps and bounds over the past 50 years‚ so much that a typical pocketknife can perform most daily tasks‚ there are times when you really need a bigger blade. These are the knives we want to reach for when we’re truly off the grid. Your typical EDC knife from CRKT‚ Spyderco‚ or WE Knife might be wonderful for cutting paracord‚ slicing open delivery boxes‚ or pinch-hitting for a steak knife. However‚ if you need to baton wood‚ make fire‚ butcher game‚ or perform real survival chores‚ you’ll most likely need a bigger blade. True survival knives kind of caught a bad rap back in the ’80s and ’90s. The theme was “bigger is better‚” and we saw designs with 14-inch blades‚ hollow handles to hold mostly useless survival kits‚ and gaudy serrations. As a Marine Infantryman and knife-aholic‚ I quickly learned that many of these knives were simply too heavy‚ and a canteen of water or extra magazines would be more useful. The problem was worsened by cheap knock-offs that’d fail when put to real-world use. Yet‚ as knives have improved in the years since‚ there are many designs that have absolute real-world potential. They might not fit in your pocket‚ but you’ll certainly want one on your belt when you’re out in the wilderness. CRKT Clever Girl Kukri The Clever Girl Kukri is Austin McGlaun’s take on the classic Kukri-style blade made famous by the Gurkha troops of Nepal. While a bit scaled down from the size of a traditional Kukri‚ it’s still big enough to prevent a true-to-size photograph for our usual columns‚ or else we would’ve featured it long ago. The good news is that it has allowed us to get a lot more use out of this knife than we normally would have under a tight deadline. McGlaun designed this one for CRKT as part of the company’s Forged by War program. This program allows veterans to design knives and tools for CRKT and direct a portion of the proceeds toward a charity of the maker’s choice. McGlaun’s choice is the Green Beret Foundation. Overall length: 13.3 inches Blade Length: 7.8 inches Weight: 14.2 ounces Blade Steel: SK-5 Price: $88 Pros: Very sharp out of the box with a nice thin edge for slicing. SK-5 is an excellent knife steel with superb edge retention and a reputation for toughness. The handle has a very positive feel to it with no hot spots. Cons:  As good a steel as SK-5 is‚ it can be difficult to sharpen due to its toughness.  Sheath could be more robust. URL: crkt.com Cold Steel Bushman Cold Steel has been producing this design for at least 30 years‚ and it still holds up today. This is a very minimalist survival type knife that’s at home in the woods‚ the desert‚ or the jungle for a wide variety of tasks. It has a hollow handle that allows the knife to be affixed to a shaft for use as a spear or harpoon. A honing steel is included in the sheath so you can touch up the blade if necessary. It may not give you a shaving sharp edge‚ but you can fix any nicks without having to regrind it. The Bushman has an almost cultlike following among its users‚ and some of the mods they make to this knife make it a real standout. Whether it’s a regrind or special handle treatment‚ you can really make this your own. Overall length: 12.23 inches Blade Length: 7 inches Weight: 9.8 ounces Blade Steel: SK-5 Price: $25 Pros:   A lot of usable blade for your money   You can easily affix it to a handle to fashion a spear for hunting or fishing.   The included honing steel can be used to straighten out any burrs or nicks. Cons:  While it’s a bare-bones blade‚ you might want to wrap the handle in paracord or rubber for better grip. The sheath is lacking in many respects. URL: coldsteel.com Glock Model 81 Survival Knife When most of us hear‚ “Glock‚” we think of the polymer-framed‚ striker-fired pistol. Yet‚ before they made their world-famous pistols‚ Glock produced knives‚ bayonets‚ and entrenching tools for the Austrian army. Glock still produces these knives‚ and the price doesn’t seem to have changed in the past 25 years or so. The quality is still there‚ and‚ in many ways‚ it represents one of our favorite field knives. The sheath is amazing‚ the serrations are well thought out‚ and the guard incorporates a bottle opener‚ but it’s not shipped incredibly sharp and has a relatively thick edge. Glock doesn’t usually list the M81 on their website‚ but it’s available through retailers such as Midway USA. Overall length: 11.4 inches Blade Length: 6.5 inches Weight: 7.13 ounces Blade Steel: 1095 Price: $30 Pros: Once the blade has been reprofiled and sharpened‚ these knives are absolute workhorses. Amazing serrations. The sheath looks flimsy but is extremely effective. Cons: They ship dull and with a rather thick edge. Being 1095 steel‚ it takes a while to turn it into a decent working blade. Be sure to maintain the blade after a regrind; 1095 is prone to rusting. URL: eu.glock.com KaBar D2 Extreme Straight Edge While the traditional KaBar is a favorite and iconic knife‚ sometimes even a classic can be improved‚ particularly with regard to blade steel and handle treatment. About 30 years ago‚ KaBar upgraded their classic military knife into a version using D2 tool steel‚ and variants were made with serrations. The Extreme Straight Edge model has more of the classic look of the iconic KaBar without these serrations. It comes with a rugged thermoplastic sheath that can be worn on a belt or lashed to a pack or load-bearing equipment. If you love your KaBar but want a more rugged and weather-resistant version‚ this may be ideal. Overall length: 12 inches Blade Length: 7 inches Weight: 12 ounces Blade Steel: D2 Price: $206 Pros: D2 steel is a working-class tool steel that’s unbelievably tough. Razor sharp out of the box‚ the way all knives should ship. The handle is comfortable and follows the contour of the traditional leather stacked washer pattern. Cons: D2 steel is great‚ but the uncoated edge can rust if not maintained. It can also be tough to sharpen. Sheath fitment is a bit loose. URL: kabar.com Skallywag Tactical Gunners Mate Skallywag Tactical produces great designs‚ and the Gunners Mate is a bit of a legend in that lineup. It was designed to “remove limbs‚” be they trees or other types. There’s a lot to love about an 8.5-inch blade of D2 that’s razor sharp when you take it out of the box. It has more of the heft and feel of a boarding cutlass as opposed to a knife. The blade coating is nicely done‚ and it really holds up even if you put a lot of use into your knives. It makes for a great camp knife without encroaching into machete territory. It’d make for an impressive fighting blade as well. Overall length: 14.5 inches Blade Length: 8.5 inches Weight: 16 ounces Blade Steel: D2 Price: $190 Pros: The blade is generously sized and can tackle just about any task you have in store for it. Handle is extremely comfortable. The D2 steel blade is sharp from the box and incredibly tough. Cons: A bit on the large side as a daily carry blade‚ but completely at home in the wild. Even though the steel is coated‚ keep the exposed edge well-oiled if you’re in a humid or wet environment. URL: skallywagtactical.com Slysteel Spectre Oliver Hannan of Slysteel designed this model for a CIA operative who wanted a large knife for fieldcraft and self-defense. Hannan’s designs have been featured on several TV shows about wilderness survival and often include design details for tasks beyond cutting. This isn’t just another big chopper; it’s surprisingly light and balanced. The hole in the blade works as a bullet puller so you can use the powder as a fire-starting aid. The spine of the knife can be held comfortably as a draw knife because of the forward tumbled edge. The section of 90-degree spine can be used as a scraper to remove bark from branches or as a ferro rod striker. The more rounded‚ tumbled edge of the spine prolongs the life of your baton when using it for splitting. The Micarta handle incorporates a spindle divot for fire-starting. Overall length: 15.5 inches Blade Length: 9.3 inches Weight: 23 ounces Blade Steel: 1095 Price: $370 Pros: Very handy and light for a large knife. Versatile handle. Both sheath options are ingenious; the MOLLE sheath is perfect to strap to a pack or belt and can hold extra gear. Cons: Too large for discreet everyday carry. Could’ve been sharper out of the box. URL: slysteel.com TOPS Knives Tom Brown Tracker Coyote Tan The Tracker was designed by survivalist guru Tom Brown‚ and it’s one of the most popular and controversial knives made by TOPS. This is a special-purpose survival knife that can help you perform numerous tasks using one tool instead of five different ones. You have a draw blade‚ a filet-style blade‚ and a thicker chopping or batoning section‚ as well as serrations on the spine. The sheath sports two spring clips so it can be secured to the belt‚ a pack‚ or even mounted inside the door pocket of a truck. TOPS offers several scaled-down versions of this knife‚ but this one seems to be the best survival tool of the bunch. Overall length: 11.9 inches Blade Length: 6.4 inches Weight: 21 ounces Blade Steel: 1095 Price: $320 Pros: The forward grind is a powerful chopper; the rear grind is angled perfectly for drawing and slicing. This gives you a chopper‚ skinner‚ baton‚ filet‚ and a saw all in one package without hauling an entire toolbox around. The Kydex sheath is outstanding. Cons: At 21 ounces‚ it’s not exactly light. It lacks a stabby tip. If you need to dress game‚ you may need to carry a second knife. URL: topsknives.com Read More Subscribe to Recoil Offgrid's free newsletter for more content like this. New: First Tactical Krait Folding Knife Wander Tactical Barracuda EDC Knife Review Pocket Preps: Serrated Knife Buyer's Guide Review: 7 Multipurpose Bushcraft Knives New: OKC Carter 2quared Folding Knife The post Review: Camp and Field Knives appeared first on RECOIL OFFGRID.

My family hates peanut butter (PB) and honey sandwiches. We took a trip down to Costa Rica for five weeks‚ and our go-to lunch was PB and honey sandwiches for the majority of the trip. We had PB and honey sandwiches for lunch‚ 5-6 days each week. By the end of the trip‚ my boys… The post Peanut Butter &; Honey Sandwiches – The Ultimate Prepper Combo? appeared first on Mind4Survival.