Instant mashed potatoes are made from potatoes that have undergone processing and drying to become powdered or flaky in texture. Some can be prepared by mixing potato flour with other ingredients. However, these can be clumpy and sticky. The dehydrated instant mashed potatoes are reconstituting in a creamier form. It more closely mimics mashed potatoes by forming a granule or flake.
Even though various potatoes are used to create instant potatoes, the Idaho potato is the most often used because of its high starch content. Yet, compared to actual potatoes, quick potatoes frequently have lower vitamin C levels and greater salt levels. Different quick, mashed staple varieties, including Yukon gold or baby red potatoes, are frequently used to create unique variations.
Instant Mashed Potato Tips and Tricks
Are you prepared to discover how to improve store-bought instant potatoes? For some delicious advice, keep reading.
Create Compound Butter
Compound butter is butter combined with other substances like herbs or spices. Add a flavorful compound butter to your instant potatoes while they cook. Also, serve them with one on the side to up the ante. Start with one of these compound butter recipes or this traditional garlic butter. We assure you that nothing could go wrong.
Add A Few Fresh Herbs
Add some fresh herbs to your instant potatoes to give them some flavour. If you want a mild, oniony flavour, chives are excellent, but you may also add parsley, dill, or thyme. Try garnishing your potatoes with tarragon or rosemary, which go nicely with garlic. If your instant potatoes already have some garlic.
Add Some Milk and Mix
Most instant potato kinds instruct you to mix the potatoes with water. However, using milk will give your potatoes a richer flavour. Potatoes made with whole milk will come out deliciously rich, but 2 percent milk also works nicely. Mix the potatoes with half-and-half or buttermilk if you want to go all out. If you think making the potatoes too luxurious using whole milk instead of water, try substituting half water for milk.
Become Sour
You don’t want to put butter in your mashed potatoes. Adding a dash or two of your favourite salt to a pot of instant mashed potatoes is a fairly simple technique to increase the flavour, despite how basic it may sound. We like citrus salt, matcha salt, and truffle salt. Just make careful to sprinkle salt on a little at a time. You don’t want an excessively salty side because many quick potato kinds already contain some salt.
Get Frozen Vegetables
Do you have a pack of frozen vegetables eating up valuable freezer space? Combine them with your instant mashed potatoes in the saucepan. To ensure everything is thoroughly cooked, use tiny veggies like peas, carrots, and corn after thawing them first. This is a terrific way to give potatoes a healthier touch. It’s useful if you have little children who typically won’t touch a vegetable.
Better Ways to Prepare Instant Mashed Potatoes
It takes time to prepare delicious mashed potatoes to go with your dinner. You can easily prepare beautifully fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes with Continental’s Instant Mashed Potato. Keep a few handy sachets of this food in your cupboard to be there when needed.
How to Get Ready Instant Mashed Potatoes?
Instant Mashed Potato should be combined with hot water in a bowl. Instant mashed potatoes are delicious and easy to make, but we always strive for good enough at Tablespoon. Here’s how we improve upon quick mashed potatoes.
Change The Water
Hot water is often required to rehydrate the dried flakes in instant potatoes. Replace all or a portion of the water with chicken broth to enhance flavour instantly. You can be sure your potatoes won’t taste like chicken in the end!
In reality, combining the potato flakes with the heated broth yields a dish of potatoes that tastes creamier and butterier. You can omit the necessary water and substitute milk or half-and-half instead. Alternatively, you can substitute milk for the necessary water by diluting evaporated milk with water.
Thick is In
We know this is not the best way to save time but bear with us. Indeed, adding extra potatoes is one of the simplest methods to thicken instant potatoes. Drain any diced potatoes in a can hidden behind your cabinet and add them to the mixture. Scoop out the insides of any leftover baked potatoes from the fridge and stir them into the instant mixture.
Adding extra starches is one of many methods to thicken your food. The potatoes will harden and have a rich, tangy taste when you add a big dollop of mayonnaise, sour cream, cream cheese, or plain Greek yogurt. If you add one of these dairy products to your mashed potatoes, you’ll need to start with less water or milk.
Sweet and Flavorful
The flavor is a buddy of quick potatoes, so open that spice closet. Consider the flavors, spices, and other ingredients you typically add to handmade mashed potatoes. Potatoes are improved by adding minced garlic or garlic powder, especially when it’s done with a generous amount of shredded cheese. Ranch dressing in a bottle or dry ranch dressing mix has a zingy kick. Dill, chives, and crumbled bacon are among the other favorites.
Every year, the typical person consumes roughly 73 pounds of potatoes. People, that’s a lot of potatoes. You can afford to mix up your diet of potatoes a little. If everything else fails, slather your potatoes with gravy, season them with salt and pepper, and then top them with gobs of butter. Since instant potatoes have a mild flavor, you can create whatever flavor combination you choose.
Conclusion
The next time you want this traditional side, forget about peeling, cubing, and cooking a bushel of potatoes. A few ingredients may transform a box of raw, instant mashed potatoes into a one-of-a-kind feast. Real potatoes that have been dehydrated are used to make instant potatoes. Hence, using components you would typically mix with handmade mashed potatoes. In a fraction of the time, you’ll be well on your way to virtually handmade potatoes.
Also read: Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
