Mashed gouda cheese potatoes

Choose a smoky-flavored gouda cheese and some thick-cut applewood bacon for this heavenly dish.  These potatoes are so high in fat it's ridiculous...make them as often as you dare, but keep an eye on your cholesterol!

Mashed Gouda Cheese Potatoes

4 thick-cut slices of applewood bacon
2 - 3 scallions, chopped white and pale green parts only
3 lb russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Salt
3/4 c sour cream
1/2 c milk
2 c (8 oz) smoked Gouda cheese, coarsely grated

Cook the bacon until crisp.  Place on paper towels and set aside.  Meanwhile, boil up a large pot of water with salt and cook the potatoes until soft, about 15 minutes.  Drain and return to pot.  Mash them with half the crumbled bacon and scallions, the full amount of sour cream and milk, and 3/4 of the cheese.  Top with the rest of the cheese and bacon before serving.  Keep warm in a 375 oven if needed.