Ready Mashed Potato recommendations please?

Me neither.

Who stocks the Idapoan mash - I have never heard of it before reading GN today!

Oh thank you all so much, I’ve saved the whole conversation. You also removed the guilty feeling for even thinking about it! I will have a look when we go shopping and try one or two. I have never liked cooking, everything was made at home when the four kids were at home, but now it’s just the two of us it’s such a chore. I could happily live on sandwiches and yoghurts but Sir wants a little more! Thanks again!

Aunty Bessies, it's creamy and buttery😋

Iceland frozen here too.
A bag of “ pellets “ just take out as many as you need and do them in the microwave.
I do add milk and butter but that is personal choice.

I used to love Aunt Bessie’s mash, but my local Waitrose stopped selling it, and haven’t seen it anywhere for ages.
Tried Waitrose own, but didn’t like it nearly as much, maybe it’s better now, it was quite a few years ago. Quite a few recommendations on here, so must try it again, I usually have to faff around doing my own which is a bore just for one!

Morrisons frozen mash is excellent, I rarely make my own any more

I've never tried the Aunt Bessie's.
I'll keep an eye out for it now.

I’m surprised no-one mentioned Aunt Bessie’s mashed potatoes. I keep them in the freezer all the time especially living on my own.

You can freeze mashed potatoes if you make one large batch
simplehomeedit.com/recipe/freezer-friendly-mashed-potatoes/

I use my Kenwood and K beater when making mashed potatoes.

We had a Albert Bartlett one from Farmfoods yesterday out of the chiller. We thought it was lovely. We don't mind the Tesco buttery mash either

They are probably much of a muchness, so buy the smallest quantity you can where you usually shop and try it out.

I add butter, salt and pepper when I mix the powder up, but that is a matter of taste.

Take a look in the freezers in your supermarket. I don't know what are sold in the UK, but where I am we can buy chips that have been pre-fried and can be done in the oven in 20 minutes, pommes frittes, fried potatoes etc. And you can get small peeled boiled potatoes sold in jars in salt and water on the open shelves.

These taste best sliced and fried and of course you need a gadget that can open the jar for you, if you don't have anyone to do so.

Another idea that might be worth considering: you used to be able to buy a potato-peeling machine - they did not do a spectacularly good job, and the one my mother had back in the '60s was operated by turning a handle by hand, but if they still exist, I imagine you can get one that runs on electricity or a battery these days.

If you have anyone who could give you a hand in the kitchen occasionally and room in your freezer, then cooking a big pot of potatoes, mashing them and freezing them in foil forms or dishes of a suitable size of portion is a possibility.

Take the portion you need out of the freezer early in the day, so it de-freezes than give it 15 to twenty minutes in the oven, or half an hour with the dish placed in a collandar on whichever saucepan you are boiling the rest of your meal in will warm them nicely.

I don't have an air-fryer or any experience with them, but you can probably warm them in one , and you certainly can either use a micro-wave, or place the dish (if it is fireproof) on top of the wood-burner, if you have one and it is lit.

Idahoan, I've even converted my MIL, AD,GC and lastly H who is a stickler for "real"hand peeled and boiled,labour intensive steamy mashed potatoes.
It comes in a few different flavours besides the "buttery", there is a good selection to choose from.
I was recommended it via a fb friend a few years ago,I havent looked back, not yet tried it for shephards pie,will have to give that a go.

I really like the icelands one, too.

We use Icelands frozen mash it’s lovely

Frozen mashed potato is a winner for me! I have 10 pieces for one portion size, straight on the plate, cover and microwave for three minutes while the main meal cooks. Fresh broccoli or frozen peas can cook on the same plate at the same time, spinach only needs a minute. Can add a smidge of butter and seasoning before pulling it together with a fork.

I dislike the Aldi one, their seasoning seems wrong, my definite favourite is Morrison’s, with Waitrose behind it simply because I don’t think they can justify the higher price.

Love a bit of “Smash”. You can buy it in tubs and just scoop out what you need however I make mine with a mix of water, milk and butter… might try the frozen stuff as others have suggested.

Amazon Fresh. £1.20 for a good portion. I use these when I’m running late

NannyInTheKitchen

I always keep a packet of Idahoan buttery mash in the cupboard for when I run out of potatoes (just add boiling water). I sometimes think it tastes better than mine, but my Husband can tell the difference usually. 'Smash' was the forerunner years ago, but I have not tried it for years. You can also buy frozen mash, or fresh packs in the ready meals isle.

I second this. I am not a fan of heavily processed food but this brand certainly hits the spot.

Love Idaho mash add plenty of butter

"You wouldn't catch me eating that muck!"
One of those people.

When Smash first came on the market my brother insisted that it tasted disgusting and refused to eat it. When it came time to serve dinner, my SiL served Smash to the children and herself from a Pyrex dish. The Smash she served to my brother she put in a saucepan first. He never knew the difference.

Lidl luxury mashed potato is real comfort food and I love it. Of course my own freshly prepared mash is better , but Lidl's is a brilliant substitute, and a lot less work! Four minutes in the microwave and it's ready to be indulged in. Try it with sausages, appropriate veg and rich thick gravy.

Waitrose cheesy mash found in the chiller section is delicious, and plenty for the two of us.

I haven’t used Smash for decades, but I imagine it must have improved over the years!

M&S for me. They also do a cheesy mash.