*Tips for Success:

• Plant Milk: Do not dump all the plant milk directly into the mashed potatoes. Start by using about ½ cup, then beat with an electric beater, continue adding the plant milk a little at a time until you feel you have a great consistency. You may need to add an extra tablespoon or two of plant milk beyond the one cup measurement. The mashed potatoes should be creamy, full bodied, but not runny.  The mashed potatoes do bake in the oven which allows them to set up and dry out a tiny bit.
• Electric Beater: Normally we wouldn’t use an electric beater with mashed potatoes as it is easy to over process them, and they can turn almost gluey.  In this case we are using the electric beater to whip them into a fluffy creamy consistency. Once you get them very smooth, stop.
• Mashed Potato Bake: If you are looking for mashed potatoes, then simply mash and whip the potatoes and serve (Step 3).  Placing them in the oven does dry them out a little creating a casserole-style bake that can be cut into squares.  We want to note this, so you understand the goal of this dish.
• Mushrooms and Mixed Vegetables: Both of these ingredients are optional; however, the herbs are connected to the mushrooms should you decide to skip the mushrooms; then you may wish to consider mixing the herb seasoning (minus the tamari) with the mixed vegetables.
• Mushroom Amounts: We tested this recipe with both 8 oz. and 1 lb. of mushrooms with varying results. If you love mushroom use 1 lb.  If you enjoy mushrooms, then use 8 oz.  Or just leave them out if you are not a fan of mushrooms.  If you use 8 oz. of mushrooms, then use 1 Tablespoon of tamari.  If you use 1 lb. of mushrooms, then use 2 Tablespoons of tamari.  The spices/herbs do not change based upon the amount of mushrooms used.  Most family members preferred using 8 oz. of mushrooms; however we has some who loved 1 lb.
• Warm the Mixed Vegetables: Make sure to warm the mixed vegetables to the tenderness that you enjoy.  Microwaving them for several minutes will work well before mixing them in with the mashed potatoes.

*Notes Continued:

*Tamari: We used San J Tamari Soy Sauce, Gluten Free, Reduced Sodium.  You can substitute the tamari with reduced sodium soy sauce, Braggs Liquid Aminos, or Braggs Coconut Liquid Aminos.

*Dried Rosemary Powder:  We used Penzeys Rosemary Spain Powdered.  Feel free to use your favorite powdered Rosemary.

*Dried Rubbed Sage:  We used Penzeys Sage Albanian Rubbed.  Feel free to use your favorite rubbed sage.

*Dried Thyme Crushed Leaves:  We use Penzeys French Thyme.  It has amazing flavor.  If you can’t find dried crushed thyme leaves, you can use ground thyme, but use half the amount.

*Potatoes:  We used Russet potatoes, peeled, and cubed.  You can use your favorite potato; however, we do recommend Russets simply because other potatoes like Yukon Golds tend to go from fluffy to gluey in a matter of seconds when using an electric beater.  You do not have to use an electric beater, you can hand mash them if you wish into a smooth consistency.

*Frozen Mixed Vegetables:  We used Birds Eye Frozen Mixed Vegetables.  Which consists of frozen corn, peas, carrots, and green beans.  Feel free to use your favorite mixed vegetables.  Just make sure they are at the tenderness that you enjoy before adding them into the mashed potato mixture.

*Mushrooms:  We used cremini mushrooms; however, you can use your favorite mushroom. Mushrooms are optional.

*Panko Crumbs: We used Ian’s Gluten Free Panko crumbs for this recipe. Ian’s is oil-free, but does contain a small amount of sugar.  Ian’s is generally accepted by the WFPB community.  If you do not need to be gluten free, feel free to use any panko crumbs or bread crumbs of your choosing.

*Sea Salt:  Please adjust the sea salt based upon your family’s sea salt preferences and/or based upon dietary needs.

*Serving:  4 to 6

*Storage:  Use within 4 to 5 days.