Best Potatoes Ever (According to Malcolm)

My nephew wanted a 'traditional ham dinner' for thanksgiving...for most of us, that meant au gratin potatoes.  For him, it meant mashed potatoes.  So, au gratin mashed potatoes it is.You'll need:

5 Lb Potatoes

8 Ounces Cream Cheese

2.5 sticks butter

3/4 cup milk

4 Cups Shredded Cheddar

3 Cups Shredded Italian Blend Cheese

1.5 Cups Panko

.5 stick butter

Cut potatoes in half, put in a large pot, cover with water and lots of salt.  Set to boil and cook until soft.  Drain. 

Heat oven to 350 degrees, lightly butter the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  In a large bowl, put the cream cheese and butter.  Put a cooling rack over the bowl.  Put the potato on the cooling rack, cut side down, push through the rack.  Remove the peel and discard.

Add milk and beat the potatoes until preferred consistency.  You may add milk if you like.  Stir in cheeses.  Empty into prepared pan, smooth the top, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.  

Meanwhile, melt remaining butter and stir in panko.  After 30 minutes, remove foil, sprinkle with panko and return to oven to 15 minutes.