Goodbye instant mashed potatoes
 

Now I enjoy cooking homemade mashed potatoes, but like most people. I don't have the time to do it that often. Well. Country Crock has come to the rescue. They have a new thing out called 'Side Dishes'. And my family tried one for the first time tonight. I am impressed. It is really good. Homemade good. thick, creamy, bits of potatoes in it, and rich with butter.

It’s easy to heat up to. You have the option of Microwave (which I hate zapped food) or Stove top. And in about 6 minutes. You have a great little side dish. I plan on trying the others in the near future. I'll let you know how they are.

I will admit to occasionally making instant mashed potatoes, but many times if I am in the kitchen anyway I put a pot of potatoes on to boil. You can just throw them in the fridge and mash them later or make whatever out of them.

They dont look good.

maybe Ill try them

Well, we tried the Chicken Rice with Herbs last night. Again it was pretty good. Our little girl is begging us to try the Mac & Cheese. So I guess that's going to be the next one on the list

I don't care much for instant or quick microwave food because none compare to real food.
6 min vs 20min...I think I'll spend the extra 14 for home made.

I'm with you all the way splck, I hate zapped food. And instant can never compare to the real thing. But I do urge you to try these. I mean I pride myself on making the best mashed potato's anywhere. And their gives mine a run for my money.

Especially mashed potatoes, I never could get used to the instant ones. To make it easier on myself I buy the small baby potatoes and wash them and put them in water to boil without peeling. So much less work.

For me, the only good use for instant mashed potatoes is if you're making soup in a hurry and want to use potato as a thickener. You can add some instant mashed potatoes to the soup to thicken it up or make it into a chowder, without waiting for potatoes to cook down.

If you want to make real mashed quicker, use clean, thin-skinned red- or white- potatoes (or Yukon Golds, the best for mashed potatoes). Scrub and rinse them a bit, then chop up and cook with the skins on.

Thanks ICER. I was wondering if these would actually be worth trying. I too like to make my own, but sometimes there just isn't time...

how in the world do you make homemade mashed taters in 20 minutes?
:confused:

Get the water boiling while you are peeling the potatoes... Make sure you cut the chunks small (they cook faster that way).

Shouldn't take much more than 20 minutes...

ok...so that 20 doesnt account for everything you do after the potatoes are done....that makes much more sense...I was gonna say there is NO way I can get potatoes peeled, cut, cooked, drained, mashed, milked and seasoned in 20 minutes

I really enjoy mashed potatoes, and would never consider using instant. I like to add some chicken boullion to the water; it really adds to the flavor. Anyone else do this?

I've heard of people using chicken broth instead of milk while mashing...

I've never had instant potatoes outside of a Hungry Man meal. And I plan on keeping it that way.

There are actually a few brands out there that are very good.....yes I use them occasionally....and you really cant tell the difference....Im not a fan of lumpy potatoes anyway and if you season the instant ones the same way you do your home made ones you cant tell the difference (unless you're a person that likes lumps in them)

Mash Tatty Tips
 

A funny thing that goes really well in homemade mash potatoe (just add it on top of all the usual things i.e. milk or chicken stock etc) is a pinch of nutmeg!

Try it, very subtle but very nice...

Actually this may sound weird but a meager pinch of cloves is good in roast beef gravy, so I don't doubt your nutmeg. I'll give it a try.

As Charlatan said, cut the spuds small...I can have potatoes drained, mashed, then whipped smooth as silk and on a plate in no time. I would guess in under a minute, but I've never timed it.

I agree that mashed potatoes can be turned out in approximately 20 minutes, if you aren't making a huge batch. But the other good thing is that you don't have to make them all at one time. You can cut up the potatoes earlier, then leave them soaking in water for a few hours (completely covered) so they're ready to boil when dinner's up.

I beg to differ...I can do that in 20 mins. If you chop the potatoes small enough it's 10 min on the stove. 5 mins to peel and chop. 5 min to drain and mash. Plenty time! Unless you put very complicated things in your mash besides potatoes, maybe a little milk, some butter...

I grew up making mashed potatoes....no way I can peel and chop all the potatoes I use in 5 minutes...are ya'll doing it by hand?

10 minutes to cook them? No stove I've ever had cooked them enuff to mash in 10 minutes...hmmmmm

The Idahao (sp?) instant Mashed are really the best. Specifically the Butter herb ones.

Nothing beats the homeade kind though, have to be nice and creamy flavoured so lots of butter and cream. Maybe with some of those chives and bacon bits thrown in to (I use the simulated ones though)

the only brand of mashed potatoes i ever had, were seasoned with something that made them taste REALLY similar to marijuana. drove me crazy.

eating some chunky-as-all-getout mashed potatoes with some lemon chicken right now :)

it's not a good idea to dice your potatoes before soaking them for prep - leave them whole, but covered in water. If any parts are peeking out, they'll get oxidized. If they're already cut, then they'll get water logged and leak profusely while cooking, or worse - while you're trying to build your presentation.

When it comes to mashed, I make my potatoes as rich as possible - add a little stock of your choice as the potatoes boil, then go all out with the creme and butter. build a mound of mash, place your meat on top, a little asparagus or zuchinni on the side. squeeze some reduced sauces/gravy around the plate and garnish with some herbs.

My GF loves my homemade mash potatos. I usually boil sliced potatos for 30 minutes to an hour, drain, and mash with butter. Her mother puts them in a mixer which works very well to.

Instant mashed potatoes make a good mouse "poison." Little buggers stuff themselves with it then go for a drink and they are done.

30 minutes to boil sliced potatoes? 15 should be far more than enough unless youre cooking a huge pot for a whole family. i do one inch cubes and they take about 10 minutes of boiling to be done. slices shouldnt be any different. theyre done when you can poke a fork in them with no effort....30 minutes is not needed for that ;)

you must be making an assload at a time. i make enough for 4 servings usually and 5 minutes is plenty of time to peel and cut 6 or 8 potatoes( you *are* using a peeler right?) with 10 to boil, and another 5 to drain/mash. figure another 7-10 minutes to double that.

Yes I make an assload at a time 4 servings would never take care of my group....yes I use a peeler, but in anycase no way could I even do 6 GOOD sized potatoes, peeled and chopped in 5 minutes....Im with Alethia, 30 minutes cooking time...

I do 3-4 potatoes (fist sized), sometimes I don't even bother to peel them...just cut into quarters.

I think I can get them done in about 15 minutes that way, and not whipped either... too smooth for me.