italian seasoning

If you grow herbs, this one is for you. Pick equal amounts of:

basil
marjoram
oregano
rosemary
thyme

strip out the woody bits and chop, perhaps with a
mezzaluna, finely.

mashed potato

Mashed potato is pretty easy really (take 1½ kg of potatoes, peel and simmer in salted water until tender. Drain and mash with butter), but you can tart it up a bit with some extra ingredients.

garlic
Take three garlic bulbs (less if you want), and slice the tops off. Drizzle with olive oil, wrap in tin foil and roast in the oven for 50 minutes or so. Mix into the mash and serve.

parmesan
Grate parmesan into the mash just before serving. Gives it a nice zing.

mayonnaise
Substituting mayonnaise for butter in the mash makes an interesting change. This goes well with salmon.