I have many memories of dinner table-potato art. My siblings and I created lots of spiraling potato towers and requisite hollowed-out wells spilling with golden gravy, much to our parents displeasure. But there's more to these delicious spuds than sculpture - they have comforting, almost therapeutic qualities.The enduring romance of the mashed potato is the fact that such a plain and virtuous creature - the potato - can transform itself from whole into mashed so easily. Mashed potatoes are like a magic trick, a culinary sleight of hand. And all it takes is a little butter, milk or cream, salt and pepper to complete the metamorphosis into such a satisfying dish.
Here are five mashed potatoes recipes to match with your favorite meals and maybe have a little sculpting fun with.
