Holiday Mashed Potatoes

I call these "holiday potatoes" because they are ridiculously rich and indulgent, the kind of food I eat only once in a great while, usually on the holidays. Unless of course my brother is in town. He inevitably requests that I make these for him. They are delicious, worth every gram of fat, calorie and carbohydrate!

5 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes (approximately)
2 tablespoons table salt
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sour cream
cream as needed

Place the potato chunks into a large pot, cover with enough water to come 2 inches above.
Add the salt and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender.
Drain the water from the pot. Add the cream cheese and butter, mash the potatoes until there are no lumps. Stir in the sour cream. Add cream until the desired consistency is reached. Taste and add more salt if needed.

Cheddar Cheese Mashed Potatoes

3 pounds russet potatoes
1/4 cup butter
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
hot whole milk
salt

Peel potatoes and cut into even size pieces.
Add the potatoes to a large pot and cover so water comes about 2 inches above the potatoes.
Bring to a boil then add a generous amount of salt (about 2 tablespoons).
Boil until potatoes are tender and give no resistance when poked with a fork. (depending on the size of your potatoes about 20 minutes.)
Drain the potatoes, add butter and mash with a masher until there are no lumps. Add Cheddar and mix in. Add enough hot milk to get the desired consistency. Add salt if necessary.