Lucille's Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients (7)

• 5 pounds Russet potatoes, preferably organic*
• 3 teaspoons salt, divided
• 6 ounces cream cheese (that's 3/4 of one brick)
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
• Optional garnishes: Finely sliced fresh chives, pat of butter, sprinkle of mild paprika (not the smoked kind) and/or freshly ground black pepper