to think frozen mash is a work of genius?

[BriechonCheese]

I had resisted for ages but bought some on a whim earlier this year and found it incredibly handy for those nights when I'm picking up and ferrying DC to various activities. It doesn't beat the real thing but it comes pretty damn close.

Does anyone else have any genius home or food products that they expected to be crap but now use to happily to survive family life?

[FlopIsMyParentingGuru]

How do you defrost and cook it?

[LemonRedwood]

Aunt Bessie frozen mash and McCain frozen roasties are a staple in our freezer. DH says the roasties are so good he’d even serve them to my mother (I wouldn’t though!).

[Scrowy]

Nope frozen mash is my cheat too.

Great for chucking on top of shepherds pies or fish pies etc

[dementedpixie]

You could always cook and freeze your own mash

[ChoudeBruxelles]

You can make it yourself and freeze it too

[JsOtherHalf]

Aunt Bessie's frozen mash is lovely.

[Goldenbug]

Sweet potato mash is the way forward. Cut lines down the outside of a big one. Microwave for 8-10 minutes. Peel and mash. Much better and easier and more yumtastic than spuds.

[estuarygirl]

yes, i discovered frozen mash when I broke my right arm a few years back so couldn't peel/chop veg. I also took to using pre-chopped onion and similar frozen veg so we could at least have decent meals.

[JennyLane]

I discovered it earlier this year and it is life changing. I don't think the kids have had chips since I found it

[Catzpyjamas]

YANBU, food of the gods, especially Tesco's own.

[SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower]

Why would you make it yourself and then freeze it? A bag of frozen mash is £1, so you wouldn't exactly be saving any money, and the whole point is that it's easy.

Always have frozen mash, and some microwave rice in the house. Little things to make life easier.

[SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower]

Yep, Tesco is definitely the best one.

[PickAChew]

Yanbu. We always have a bag of Sainsbury's own mash in the freezer.

I was pleasantly surprised, years ago by how much nicer their fish fingers are than Bird's eye, too. Even the 69p basics ones are lovely and less soggy than the BE omega 3 offerings.

[Lucked]

We buy Tesco's own it needs microwaved for about 3 mins. Always add some milk and real butter to make it richer.

[BriechonCheese]

I didn't even think of doing it myself and freezing it but to be honest I get two good sized bags in the supermarket for £1.50 and have to do nothing.

To whoever asked about defrosting - you don't, you just whack it in the microwave.

[AndNoneForGretchenWieners]

I haven't tried the frozen mash but Tesco's creamy mash from the ready meal section is delicious.

[Brittbugs80]

How do you defrost and cook it

Waitrose own comes in little tube shapes, about 10 for one portion then a minute and a half in the microwave then mash with a fork and butter.

Tastes quite nice. Probably more expensive than mash but saves time and hassle.

[Ellieboolou27]

Iceland has the best frozen mash! it's amazing.

[meiisme]

Aunt Bessie's hasn't been available in our Asda for months and it has made me sad! Mind you, when I confided to a fellow parent that I used it, I was met with a wide-eyed shock of 'that is so lazy!'. But as PP said, for a quid, with only potatoes, butter and milk for ingredients I lament the demise of this staple in our household.

[meiisme]

Also keep several bag of frozen veg in the freezer so there is always some while I don't have to worry about missing expiry dates.

[KindergartenKop]

I will never mash a potato again. Or peel one, more pertinently.

[KindergartenKop]

And it's great for a quick accompaniment to fishfingers or sausages for the kids.

[jobergamot]

Gonna pick up a bag in Tesco! Inspired!

[Wellandtrulyoutnumbered]

Quite frankly it's a meal saver!

[CWG17]

Love love love frozen mash here. We don’t eat a lot of potato but it’s brilliant for DS’ dinners, or if we are lacking sides for adult meals.

And at £1/bag (900g-1kg generally) why on earth would you bother buying potatoes and going through the hassle of peeling, cooking, and mashing??