Fair warning: these are not your ordinary mashed potatoes. They might be too much for a weeknight meal. Rich, decadent, and supremely flavorful, they'd fit in much better as part of a dinner party or holiday spread. St. Patrick's Day, perhaps?

I've never in my life come across bad mashed potatoes. (I take that back. Potato flakes and a blender are coming to mind.) But usually my taste buds do not discriminate: cream, buttermilk, garlic, and Parmesan are all welcome additions to my favorite spuds, and I will never turn my nose up at cream cheese, truffle oil, even powdered ranch. I can assure you that I will eat any mashed potatoes — all mashed potatoes — with joyful glee. However after devouring these gouda smashed potatoes for the second time, my standards may have just changed.

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Photo by Nealey Dozier