Ready Mashed Potato recommendations please?

I used Smash occasionally years ago and have bought frozen mash too but not for ages.

As cooking becomes more of a chore and not a pleasure, I've bought M&S or Waitrose chilled mash.
I'll look for Idaho mash, thank you to those who recommended it.

really don't want to go as far as ready meals yet.
Oh, I'm not proud, I let Charlie Bigham prepare the whole lot for me sometimes, although not every night.

I buy frozen jacket potatoes, too.
More coat effective than fresh potatoes which don't seem to last these days.

The McCain ones come in a packet of four, but I much, much prefer the ones in a bag of 8.

For some reason, they taste very much better, plus they're bigger, and better value than the four packs.

* MargaretinNorthant* a potato in it’s jacket microwaved makes very good mash if you want to stick with fresh potatoes.

Alternatively cooked in the oven if you have other things on the go. You could also cook potatoes in batches and freeze in portions.

I buy Iceland frozen mash but add butter but I have found all the frozen ones good.
I also buy potato waffles with fried tomato or egg they make a good meal.

I can recommend Idahoan mashed potatoes. I always have both the buttery and the cheese varieties in my cupboard.
Just yesterday I topped a shepherd's pie with the buttery mash.

A vote for frozen mash. Microwave & stir in a knob of butter. It's fine & no effort.

Daddima

Pantglas2

I’m on a mission to limit UPFs and these products are a nightmare so I’ll stick to the old advert and get laughed at!

“…and they peel them with their metal knives” 😂

May I ask, what is a ‘ UPF’?

Stands for Ultra Processed Food.

I also recommend the Idahoan varieties. They really are quite delicious.

Pantglas2

I’m on a mission to limit UPFs and these products are a nightmare so I’ll stick to the old advert and get laughed at!

“…and they peel them with their metal knives” 😂

May I ask, what is a ‘ UPF’?

Thank you Squiffy I shall get some in.

This has been a bit of a revelation to me. I remember mum having Smash occasionally though. Also remembered that Delia Smith mentioned frozen mash in one of her cook books,
I shall have to scout out the supermarkets. Thanks for the tips.

1summer

Pantglas2

I’m on a mission to limit UPFs and these products are a nightmare so I’ll stick to the old advert and get laughed at!

“…and they peel them with their metal knives” 😂

I also try to avoid UPF, so was a little worried seeing this post as I always have a bag of Sainsburys frozen mashed potato in freezer - mainly for granddaughter.
Just checked ingredients and it says potato, milk, butter, salt and pepper, so presume this is ok, maybe a processed food but not UPF.

That one sounds ideal with exactly the ingredients in my own mash😋

I like Morrisons sweet potato mash, recommend it 👍

I buy the chilled ready made mash from Asda, as my wrists are weak. The ingredients are: potato, milk, butter, salt and pepper, therefore I can't tell the difference. I microwave it for 2 minutes per portion, couldn't be easier. It is also useful for cottage pie or similar toppings.

Pantglas2

I’m on a mission to limit UPFs and these products are a nightmare so I’ll stick to the old advert and get laughed at!

“…and they peel them with their metal knives” 😂

I also try to avoid UPF, so was a little worried seeing this post as I always have a bag of Sainsburys frozen mashed potato in freezer - mainly for granddaughter.
Just checked ingredients and it says potato, milk, butter, salt and pepper, so presume this is ok, maybe a processed food but not UPF.

Pantglas2

I’m on a mission to limit UPFs and these products are a nightmare so I’ll stick to the old advert and get laughed at!

“…and they peel them with their metal knives” 😂

youtu.be/fu8O26_KXXM

Don’t.

M&S mash, in the chilled Dept, is lovely and can be quickly done in the microwave and they have a nice selection too, plain mash, mash and swede, colcannon mash and a couple of others.

The frozen pellet type from Waitrose is really lovely. I use it for my cottage and shepherd pies.
The Aldi and M and S ready made mash is really nice too. Mand S also do a cheesy mash. Great with sausages.
All can be frozen too.
It is so much easier and there is no difference in the taste once you add butter and salt and pepper.

To my knowledge, I have never eaten instant mash in my life and mashed potato is not something I would order in a restaurant so I am of no help.

I’m on a mission to limit UPFs and these products are a nightmare so I’ll stick to the old advert and get laughed at!

“…and they peel them with their metal knives” 😂

spottybook

We like M &S ready mashed potato. They also do an excellent colcannon.

Ooh, you’ve just really made me want colcannon! No cabbage though - we ate it all the other night. Must put it on the list.

Another vote for Idahoan mash. A friend recommended it last year to use on shepherds pie. I wasn’t expecting much but gave it a go and really like it. I always have one in reserve in the cupboard. Very handy for one of those nights when cooking is a chore. I had some last night with sausages and beans for a quick tasty dinner.

teabagwoman

Forgive what may be an odd question but has anyone used Smash or similar in place of a fresh potato when making soup? Adding a potato often gives a better texture but I can never get through a bag of potatoes before they sprout.

Yes! If I run out of cornflour I use instant mash as a substitute. Make sure that you stir the soup as you add it, otherwise you end up with solid clumps which have a powdery middle!

My DH likes the Idaho mash, I add a little butter and pepper & salt. Not keen myself.