Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Mashed potato - basic staple or too much effort?

276 replies

NoblyBobly · 09/04/2024 14:29

I was at a social event this morning with a mix of age ranges. We were chatting about what everyone was having for their main meal (dinner/lunch/tea/supper). I mentioned we were having a quick meal tonight of sausage and mash along with some mushroom, onion and courgette.
I was really surprised that so many said they love mash but it's too much effort..........
I consider boiling a few spuds as minimal effort and an everyday basic food. am I out of touch?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
DeedlessIndeed · 09/04/2024 15:37

@NerdWhoEatsMedlar @cuckyplunt

I use a ricer, but always peel beforehand - I had no idea you could put them in skin on. I'm going to try this tonight.

My mind is blown, thank you very much!

isthismylifenow · 09/04/2024 15:37

BaronessBomburst · 09/04/2024 15:32

You want to try Dutch stampot!
I don't peel the potatoes but chop them into 2" chunks. Add just enough stock to cover and simmer until almost done. Then add shredded kale, pop the lid back on and continue to cook until the kale softens. Take the lid off to evaporate any remaining water, then mash with lots of butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Serve with (smoked) sausages.
Any leftovers get fried up the next day, and topped with a fried egg.

A version of this is very popular here.

Potatoes and green beans and onion.

If made well, it really so delicious and real comfort food.

ZipZapZoom · 09/04/2024 15:37

isthismylifenow · 09/04/2024 15:31

I still can't get my head around shop bought frozen mash.

Is it frozen into little rounds like an actual potato? Do you have to defrost it before, say putting a layer on the top for cottage pie. How do you heat it if they are just going on the plate with some sausages?

I never thought I would ever think about mash this much 😂

We get the dried packet stuff, but it's truly awful.

It's frozen into pellet type shapes. You chuck some into a dish and bung it in the microwave, add butter and some milk if you desire and then smother it in gravy. No need to peel, no extra pots to wash and anyone who thinks they can tell the difference is telling fibs.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
user1497787065 · 09/04/2024 15:38

How are people making mashed potato for it
To be a faff and to take too long?

Bestyearever2024 · 09/04/2024 15:38

NoblyBobly · 09/04/2024 15:03

I grew up with mum making mash. We used to have root veg mash too and I still make it. Me and my brother used to fight over who was going to do the mashing, the masher I have is the same type we used as kids!

Im going to invite myself for tea. Love root veg mash 😍

Elebag · 09/04/2024 15:38

it's frozen mash usually in large lego block size pieces. Or sometimes discs.

Neverpostagain · 09/04/2024 15:38

isthismylifenow · 09/04/2024 15:31

I still can't get my head around shop bought frozen mash.

Is it frozen into little rounds like an actual potato? Do you have to defrost it before, say putting a layer on the top for cottage pie. How do you heat it if they are just going on the plate with some sausages?

I never thought I would ever think about mash this much 😂

We get the dried packet stuff, but it's truly awful.

Frozen mash is in little nuggets a bit bigger than penne pasta. All merges together as you microwave. Give it a stir as you add the butter, good to go.

LifeofBrienne · 09/04/2024 15:39

I really don’t get the appeal of mash, there are much nicer ways of cooking potatoes so they actually have texture and flavour. I buy small potatoes, cut in half or thirds to boil or roast. No peeling, no hassle. Chips and jacket potatoes are also good, but mashed potato? Meh. (Just my personal opinion, don’t flame me!)

isthismylifenow · 09/04/2024 15:40

DeedlessIndeed · 09/04/2024 15:37

@NerdWhoEatsMedlar @cuckyplunt

I use a ricer, but always peel beforehand - I had no idea you could put them in skin on. I'm going to try this tonight.

My mind is blown, thank you very much!

Make sure they are well boiled.

I made mash this way last night and they were still a bit too on the firm side. I'm sure I have more muscles in my one arm today 😂

HeadsShouldersTitsandArse · 09/04/2024 15:40

Mash is our ‘quick’ go to here too. Faggots and mash, or sausages and mash (and veg) are my lazy cba to ‘actually cook’ meals 😂

QuestionableMouse · 09/04/2024 15:41

I buy the frozen because I live on my own and often can't get through a bag of spuds before they start going manky.

SparklyBracelet · 09/04/2024 15:42

Dotdashdottinghell · 09/04/2024 14:40

I use pre made mash, I really can't taste the difference and I loathe making it myself.

And me. Sod all that peeling and boiling. It’s not 1956

BaronessBomburst · 09/04/2024 15:43

@isthismylifenow where's here?
I sometimes use runner beans instead of kale, but haven't tried onion, except fried as a topping.

HeadsShouldersTitsandArse · 09/04/2024 15:43

@QuestionableMouse I feed 4 people’s pe in my house and we still can’t manage to get through a bag of spuds 😂 although we do get the big brown bags from local farmers rather than a bag of shop brought.

I have thought about chopped some up cubes and some chipped to freeze!

Crunchymum · 09/04/2024 15:43

Mash has never been a staple in our house. Only 3/5 people eat it (and only one person loves it, the other two are indifferent)

Can't say I've resorted to frozen mash but I really don't do make it often as it's not worth the effort for half the family not to eat it.

Minikievs · 09/04/2024 15:43

OMGitsnotgood · 09/04/2024 15:15

If you have a microwave, bake the potatoes. Once done, half and scoop out the potatoes. Add a little milk/butter/seasoning. Mashes way more quickly and easily than boiled, no peeling or chopping, and tastes better IMO.

I can't believe I've never thought of doing this! This is genius!
I have a load of roast beef left over from Sunday, I am 100% going to do this and have some with mash and veg tonight now 😋

JanglingJack · 09/04/2024 15:44

Why did you ruin a good meal with courgette?!

I love a bit of mustard mash, but we don't really eat many potatoes unless roast.

But yes, it was always a staple for us growing up. It was mash or chips. I think there was an alternative 😂

Keepsmiling2948 · 09/04/2024 15:45

I was introduced to the wonderful world of frozen mash last year….game changer! I loathe making mash…

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 09/04/2024 15:46

Try putting a veg stock cube in when boiling potatoes or boil in cabbage water - yum, but possibly not to everyone's taste. Then milk and butter and mash mash mash.

NotMeNoNo · 09/04/2024 15:46

We make our mash from scratch, we don't have much freezer space and have never tried Smash.
Trick is to have a good peeler and good masher, it makes it much easier. There are many other things in life I CBA to do but this isn't one.

isthismylifenow · 09/04/2024 15:47

BaronessBomburst · 09/04/2024 15:43

@isthismylifenow where's here?
I sometimes use runner beans instead of kale, but haven't tried onion, except fried as a topping.

We call it 'boereboontjies'.

I'm in SA so a lot of Dutch heritage, so I'm quite sure it's a version of Stampot. Which I can translate from Afrikaans as 'mashed pot' 😃

ClemmyTine · 09/04/2024 15:48

For those that don't think sausage and mash is a quick meal, what is then?

NerdWhoEatsMedlar · 09/04/2024 15:49

@NotMeNoNo oh yes a good peeler. I think you should be allowed to take a potato to the shop to test new peelers. Some are absolute rubbish.

tinkerbellesslagoon · 09/04/2024 15:50

I definitely find it extra effort. If you make a baked potato you just put it in the oven. Whereas mash requires peeling, chopping and all the mashing itself which I find takes to make it un-lumpy. I do cheat a lot with those ready-made fresh mash ones you microwave.

PianPianPiano · 09/04/2024 15:51

I find it to be a faff. It's the peeling of the potatoes, then cooking them, then mashing them.. And then clearing up - if you don't stick the pan and the masher straight in water the mashed potato sets like cement and is just a faff to clean. Our masher has little holes that hold the mash as well so cleaning that is a right faff. So I generally avoid doing it, much prefer a jacket or a few boiled new potatoes...