"Gus" > wrote in message
...
> "Steve Freides" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> If you're following a recipe and you're the novice cook you sound like,
>
> I don't think I've advanced enough yet to be called novice.

well then you don't belong here. Come back when you still know nothing but
insist that you know more than everybody else.

welcome.

you can freeze mashed potatoes.

I agree with the other poster - make the recipe the way it is written the
first time and see if you get it right. Then make it again - you will make
it better. Then start modifying.

Black pepper and garlic are not "substitutes". You can use either or both
as you wish.

Re black pepper - you should grind your own for much better flavor than pre
ground.