CrockPot Instant Mashed Potatoes
Day 160.
Today launches Retro Week at A Year of CrockPotting. Why? I don't know. I just decided.
Instant mashed potatoes---I grew up having them and liked them, yet once I started cooking for my own family I forgot all about them. There is nothing wrong with instant potatoes---food snobs will tell you that they aren't "real" food, but the back of the box says dehydrated potato flakes, some salt and an anti-caking preservative. Huh. Maybe it's the anti-caking preservative that weirds people out?
Anyway, they are creamy, delicious, and easy. My kids prefer them to "real" mashed potatoes and will eat a ton in a sitting. And the cooking is ridiculously fast---it takes maybe 10 whole minutes to prepare a bunch.
Unless you use your crockpot.
Then it will take two hours.
The Ingredients.
--box of instant potatoes
--the stuff on the back of the box that they tell you to use.
I used soy milk, water, and butter in our potatoes.
The Directions.
Follow the directions on the back of the box. I used my 1.5 qt mini crockpot and used the 1/3 of a cup proportions---which is supposed to be enough to feed 3-4 people as a side dish. They must be smufs, though. My kids ate it all for lunch and wanted more.
Cook on low for 1-2 hours---you will know the potatoes are done when you stir them and they look done.
so very scientific...
The Verdict.
This worked. The stove is MUCH quicker, and the results are exactly the same. The only advantage of using the crock in this instance is that you can put all the ingredients in the crock together and leave it alone. Just like making them on the stove, they will thicken once you remove the cooked product from the heat.
that's a great idea! we have study groups over for dinner quite often--this way I can do an easy peasy mashed potato bar!
ReplyDeleteooh, I'm excited!
I know tons of people have already told you how amazing this site is, but it really is true! I just got done reading every recipe you've posted on your "one-year venture" and I am so incredibly impressed! I use my crockpot occasionally, but you've inspired me to break it out and try some of these amazing recipes you have on here! Thank you so much and I'm so happy you'll be doing this all year!
ReplyDeleteginny, what a great idea! I've seen mashed potato bars on tv talk shows, and they always look so fun. They put the potatoes in a martini glass!
ReplyDeleteBecky, thank you so much for your nice words! I'm having an awful lot of fun.
xoxo
steph
I have to giggle at taking 2 hours to make something "instant". But really heaps of stuff takes longer in the slow cooker, it's the ability to ignore it that makes it brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI was given a packet of instant mash the other day as a promo thing. I actually gave it away because the anti caking thingamajig scared me.
You ROCK girl1 Tonight I made the margarita chicken and your creamed corn... My 3 year old had 3rds on the corn! YUM! I want to try your freeto candy next.
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Michelle
Steph, I just wanted to say that this is currently my favorite weblog. Thank you! I was already a crockpot lover, but you've inspired me to be a lot more daring! I just adapted a blueberry rhubarb cobbler recipe and I'm planning to try oven French toast and roasting beets in my crockpot sometime soon. Much more exciting than the oatmeal, potatoes, and beans I was cooking in it before. :)
ReplyDeleteI guess what makes instant potatoes not "real food" is that by the time the potatoes have been dehydrated, ground, and processed, they might taste the same but anything resembling goodness such as vitamins or minerals have long since vanished. So they are just empty carbs, lashed with butter.
ReplyDeleteStill, love your site. hunting right now for dinner ideas for the week!