Congratulations to Heather Smith for Winning the 2009 Cookoff

Ingredients:

1 FRENCH'S® French Fried Onions

4 Instant mashed potatoes, 4 servings

8 tbsp Chive Cream Cheese, softened

8 tbsp Butter or Margerine, softened

8 tbsp Sour Cream, low fat or regular

32 oz Frozen Hash browns, cubes not shredded

1.5 tbsp Minced Garlic

1.25 cup Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

1. Prepare 4 servings instant potatoes according to package instructions. 2. Heat a large pot of water over medium heat. When it is boiling, add bag of frozen hash browns, boil for approx 5 minutes, and drain. 3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, butter or margerine, garlic, sour cream, cheese. Mix well. Add hash browns and mashed potatoes while hot and mix well again. 4. Pour mixture into a greased, 9x13 glass baking dish. Bake at 350 for approx 40 minutes. 5. Top with 1 can French's Fried Onions. Turn oven up to 375 and bake another 5 minutes, or until onions are slightly browned. 6. Cool and enjoy!
The amounts of cheese, butter or margerine, and sour cream can be adjusted slightly to taste. Fresh or dried chives can be used with plain, whipped, or fat-free cream cheese if desired. The French's onions can be a large can or small, depending on your taste. Fat-free or low-fat ingredients can easily be substituted without losing the flavor.