My grandfather survived on this during hard times and swore it was the most filling meal he ever had. Now my whole family requests it every spring!

This slow cooker 4-ingredient poor man's potato and turnip mash comes straight out of the kind of story you hear at a kitchen table after supper. My grandfather lived through hard times on the farm and said a pot of potatoes and turnips like this could keep a man going through long days of fieldwork and cold spring winds. It was cheap, filling, and used what they had in the root cellar when money was tight but bellies still needed warming. These days, my family asks for it every spring when the last of the stored potatoes and turnips need using up. It’s simple, honest food: creamy, buttery, and comforting, made with almost no effort in the slow cooker.

Serve this mash right from the slow cooker, with a big spoonful in the center of each plate. It’s wonderful alongside roast chicken, ham, or a skillet of fried sausage, and it soaks up gravy or pan drippings like a dream. For a truly old-fashioned supper, pair it with green beans or peas and a simple sliced tomato salad when they’re in season. Leftovers reheat nicely with a splash of milk, and you can even top a warm bowl with a fried egg for a hearty breakfast or lunch.

Servings: 6

2 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks