Is there ever a time or place for instant mashed potatoes?

Can’t beat the pouches of instant potatoes for $2 for a weeknight side. Heat water and mix the potatoes in and you’re done. When you have kids and can make a side of mashed potatoes in 5 minutes, it’s great.

I prefer the frozen steam in bag russets that Orida has. Ten minutes. Real potatoes.

Yes, I know the instant is real potato flake. I have used it to feed sourdough starter before, and I hear that some BR places make a greek garlic dressing with it also.

I saw Jacques Pepin make a potato and leek soup with instant potato flakes. I've made my own version about 4 times now with more leek and topped with grated gruyere. Absolutely delicious and it was easier to control the texture to get what I wanted. I was doubtful, but I figured if they're good enough for him, they're good enough for me. Everyone who has had the soup loved it.

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Jacques Pepin

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if they're good enough for him, they're good enough for me.

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Smart people learn from real experts. Too many people get stuck on the "if it's fresh it is better" (in reference to buying out of season produce that is fresh, when the canned/frozen stuff was canned or frozen at peak ripeness,) schtick.

Yes, fresh and bespoke food every night would be great, but especially with kids, that means your dreams of a full spread roast done traditionally will become a pipe dream during, and you'll stop for fast food bullshite for the kids on the way home from practice anyway. Pressure cooker or slow cooker with a bag of McCormick fake seasoning is still better than food in a bag.

Take whatever shortcut you need so at least you can pick the protein and veg your family eats with your own two eyes.

I doctor up Bob Evans for my Shepherd's pie.

You can also roll foods you intend on frying in the dried flakes for a gluten free "breading".

I use Idahoan instant garlic mash during the week, and make real mashed potatoes on the weekend. But I also haven’t made mashed potatoes of either variety in probably 4 months.

They were making gnocchi out of instant potatoes on Cooks Country a couple of weeks ago. It looked great, but way more trouble than I’d go to. Give me store bought gnocchi, and I’m good.

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Is there ever a time or place for instant mashed potatoes?

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I think the real question is, "Is there ever NOT a time or place for instant mashed potatoes?"

And the answer is, no, I don't think so.

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Bob Evans without question.

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these are so much better than the flakes and any other of the refrigerated brands

eta: I am too lazy to make real (hand issues make peeling/cutting veggies a challenge) and don't like instant so Bob Evans was a game changer. I also saw them here and tried them.

I'll just mention (as the non Paleo Crossfit dude), that cauliflower mash is a two step process, and works great on meat pies.