Not that anyone is likely to complain if all you do to your Thanksgiving mashed potatoes is add copious quantities of butter and cream. But if you are looking for ways to add wow! to your taters, it's easier and faster than you might think.

It can be as simple as tossing in a package of herbed cheese spread (especially a garlic variety) as you mash. Or lose the butter and cream entirely and add part of a jar of thinly sliced oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. It's intense but awesome.

Chopped fresh herbs of just about any variety are another great choice. While they're fine added as is, fresh herbs are even better if you melt butter on the stove and add the herbs for a brief simmer before mixing the whole thing into the potatoes.

Or try these impressively easy and delicious variations of the basic mashed potato. Start by making the standard batch of mashed potatoes (or your own favorite recipe), then adding one of the four finishes.