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Cozy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potato Graveyard – Easy Halloween Side

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A savory Halloween ‘graveyard’ made from creamy roasted garlic mashed potatoes, topped with olive stone paths, pea graves, and cracker tombstones. It’s a cozy, spooky side dish that’s quick to assemble and perfect for parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1 whole head of garlic
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream, warmed
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced into rounds
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley or chives, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 3–4 rectangular crackers or pieces of toasted bread
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds or black sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, wrap tightly in foil, and roast for 35-40 minutes until soft and golden. Let cool, then squeeze out the garlic paste. Set aside.
  2. Place peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water by an inch, and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes until fork-tender.
  3. Drain potatoes well. Return them to the hot pot for a minute to steam off excess moisture. Transfer to a large bowl. Add roasted garlic paste, softened butter, and sour cream. Mash until almost smooth. Slowly pour in warm milk or cream, stirring until desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Spread mashed potatoes onto a serving platter. Use the back of a spoon to create hills, graves, and a winding path.
  5. Sprinkle poppy seeds or black sesame seeds over the hills for ‘dirt’. Scatter chopped parsley or chives over lower areas for ‘grass’.
  6. Press thawed peas gently into the potato hills to create grave mounds. Write ‘R.I.P.’ on crackers or toast with a toothpick or black food coloring (optional). Stick them into the hills at a slight angle.
  7. Lay sliced black olives along the winding path like stepping stones. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

The tombstones will soften over time, so assemble just before serving. Mashed potatoes can be made a day ahead and reheated gently. For gluten-free, use polenta slices or cucumber rounds instead of crackers.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween, mashed potatoes, roasted garlic, graveyard, side dish, spooky, easy, comfort food

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/cozy-roasted-garlic-mashed-potato-graveyard-easy-halloween-side/