Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

4 lbs. peeled, cubed potatoes

5 T. real butter

1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

6 cloves roasted garlic

1 - 1 1/2 cups warm skim milk (any milk will do)

1 T. salt, or to taste

1 tsp. fresh cracked black pepper, or to taste

Place potatoes in a large pot of cold water. Place onto stove top over high heat & bring to a boil. Once water is boiling, cook for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Drain & transfer to the work bowl of a stand or electric mixer. Mix on low until potatoes are mashed then add butter, Parmesan, garlic, milk, salt & pepper. Season to taste if needed. For thinner mashed potatoes add more milk, slowly until your desired consistency.

Scoop mashed potatoes onto serving plates & top with pork chops & soup gravy from crock pot.

**Roasted garlic: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place bulb of garlic with skins on, wrap tightly in tin foil & bake for 1 hour. Remove from foil & let cool for 15 minutes. Remove garlic from skins, place in a bowl & mash with a fork until completely mashed.

Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops

6 pork chops, 1/2" thick

1 packet dry Ranch Dressing Seasoning

10 oz. can cream of chicken soup

Place pork chops, ranch seasoning & soup into crock pot over high heat for 4 hours or low heat for 6 hours.

Serve with Parmesan mashed potatoes.

via:Picky Palate

Sparkling Holiday Punch

3 cups cold water

3/4 cups sugar

5 cinnamon sticks

1 bottle Welch's Sparkling Red or White Grape Juice Cocktail, chilled

1 cup orange juice

1/2 cup lemon juice

3 bottles (16 oz each) lemon-lime soda, chilled

ice cubes made with Welch's Sparkling Red or Sparkling White Grape juice cocktail

Preparation

In medium saucepan, combine water, sugar & cinnamon sticks to make cinnamon syrup. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat & simmer 5 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks, cover & refrigerate 2 hours. IN a large punch bowl, combine cinnamon syrup, Sparkling White Grape Juice cocktail, orange juice, lemon juice & soda. Add ice cubes. If desired, garnish with additional cinnamon sticks or float fruit-filled ice cubes, orange, lemon or lime slices.

Makes about 30 one-half cup servings.