Mashed potato - basic staple or too much effort?

[NoblyBobly]

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?

I definitely didn't say it that it required any skill either !

I hate making mash. I find it's not worth the effort. Although to be fair growing up in Ireland in the 80s/90s it was mash or some other form of potato every day so I developed a bit of a hatred of them

It's not that much work, but it's the peeling part that I can't be arsed with sometimes

It's interesting to see different perspectives on a "quick meal".
It was quick to me because it was on the table in 25 mins!

I don't buy ready-made sauces/pizza but I do make my own and freeze the leftovers.

It's much safer to steam potatoes rather than boiling them - even if you overcook them they don't get wet and soggy - just easier to mash. Bit faffier than the microwave though.

I'm lazy so if I see premade mash in the yellow sticker box I snap it up and freeze it. I've also been known to use Idaho mash. Add a bit of butter and seasoning and no-one knows.

Exactly this!

It's so easy to, fail proof.

I'm doing potato mash once a week.

My style of cooking as well :)

I was berated on another thread this week saying I dont serve jacket spuds with savoury mince and veg when serving mashed spuds was the exact same meal :)

I made a couple of fish pies today, huge pot of spuds - 7 mins in pressure cooker, same time as it took to poach the fish and hard boil the eggs . Longest part of that meal was making the white sauce with spinach

The best tip I have ever been given……Peel potatoes, boil them and then add to stand mixer and with k sort of shaped attachment gently let it bash up the potatoes a bit, then switch to the whisk attachment and add milk butter etc and whisk for about 4 minutes while dishing up the rest of the meal. Perfect mash with any of the faff of actually mashing!

edit: forgot to say I add hot milk

I don’t even boil them now, peel and pop in the pressure cooker for 10 min!

I've never made mash from actual potatoes. I use the frozen pellets, or packets of Smash or Idahoan.

I do this as well. I freeze it in silicone muffin cups so it is easy to get them out and into a zip lock bag. My mam robs a bag every so often! She lives alone so can't be arsed making mash for 1

It's not a faff IMO but I'm a MN anomaly because I don't think Lasagne is a faff either.

The things people find a faff always surprise me. I buy loaves of unsliced bread from the bakers. My friend loves our bread but won't buy it because cutting it and wiping up the crumbs is apparently too hard. I just don't get it.

She should buy some frozen mash. ☺️

I'm left-handed but have no problem peeling potatoes. I use an ancient peeler I inherited from either my MIL (left-handed) or my Granny (right-handed), can't remember who it was now, but it works perfectly for me. I'll be bereft when it finally gives up the ghost. Picture attached of a very similar one, and also a picture of something very like my potato masher. This is how my Mum mashed potatoes and I've always done it the same way.

I peel the potatoes (King Edwards usually - they have to be floury, not waxy), cut into chunks of even size, but not too small, put in a pan with cold water and a bit of salt, bring to the boil, turn down the heat so they don't boil over, partially cover pan with lid, boil for a few minutes until cooked through to the middle. Drain off the water, put back on ring with a tea towel over to absorb the steam, then put in a good big bit of butter and a little milk. Mash till smooth, which takes seconds. Can add mustard, sauted leeks etc to add interest. Mashed potatoes mixed with grated cheese is food of the gods!

It possibly helps that I have a dishwasher but I don't find washing the pan and the masher tricky on the odd occasion I've done it by hand.

It's not that quick and it does require a bit of attention, but I love mash, so am happy to make the effort when I fancy it.

Forgot the images!

Me neither. Never.

I can’t get on with people who would rather have smash than proper homemade mash!! Its no effort at all to do 🙈

Yes, the really do. Sorry.

Frozen mash is in between 'real' mash and smash. And's it is a LOT less effort that making your own.

It's also what you get if you order mash in a pub/restaurant most of the time.

At least once a week here which invariably means extra being made and snaffled up the next day.

This

I have no other words!

They honestly don't how could they? It's made from exactly the same stuff as if you peel the spuds yourself??

This is the ingredients from the frozen mash in my freezer:

• Potatoes (83%), Whole Milk (11%), Butter (4%) (Milk), Salt, White Pepper

I used to do this, but then discovered that kind people have already frozen it for me ……..

I wouldn't call it too much faff, but I do loathe peeling potatoes both because of the smell and the potato juice that coats your hands. Couple with ny son hating potatoes and it's not a thing we often have.

I do enjoy having garlic mash the odd occasion when I'm feeling like doing something a bit extra.