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?

I want mash for breakfast now.

Tell me, do they all have dairy in them? I don't deal well with milk I think a PP mentioned one with salt or pepper?

I'm sceptical, but I'm going to try it! Added some to my online shop. I don't add salt to anything we eat though so wondering if it will taste salty to me.

Yup frozen mash convert here. Frozen chopped onion too and microwave rice. Been eyeing up the frozen cauliflower cheese in Aldi for a while. I love cauliflower cheese but no-one else does so it’s not worth the effort. Thought it might be a bit dodgy but if mn approve...

Oh no way, I've tried two different brands and both were revolting and Smash like. Even the chilled mash I'm not too keen on, the only half decent one I've tried is M&S. I just make extra when I'm making mash anyway and freeze portions for midweek, but even then the freezing process slightly changes the taste. DP and DS don't notice so it's mainly served to them.

Straycatblue now frozen baked potatoes I can get on board with, handy and delicious.

Also interested in whether vegan ready frozen mash exists. I make mine with olive oil, it’s delicious.

Anguished mince 😄😄

Squeezy garlic, chilli, basil etc is life changing

I use my potato richer for mash and it seems you need less spuds than when using a masher as I get loads and it's lovely. Very satisfying too, just squeezing it all thru! Lol

I love the little frozen blocks of garlic and ginger puree. Perfect for stir fries and curries. No mess, no hassle just chuck em in the pan. Also, the frozen pea and asparagus risotto from Tesco. Recommended to me by a foodie friend and OMG it's delicious. Super quick and easy. A perfect supper on its own, or nice with chicken or fish. Yummy

Ricer...potato ricer. Bl**dy autocorrect

This thread is a revelation, I didn't even know that frozen mash was a thing. Will definitely be picking some up in the next shop!

Yes wasnt delias cheats shepherds pie something like tins of m&s mince in gravy with frozen mash on top?

I am seriously considering moving over to mostly (good) ready meal type stuff / minimal prep food. Find time is just so limited - any time saver ideas welcome / tips on good ready made / bung in the oven type stuff

How do you all have freezer room?

By having a 6' tall freestanding freezer!

It has an entire deep drawer devoted to carbs!

I am not snobby about frozen food, it's great. By frozen I mean frozen fresh food, not processed food. I use loads of frozen veg(sliced frozen peppers are fab). I always check the ingredients and if it's what I put in it at home if I make it, I'll buy it. If it's full of additives I won't. Aldi do a great butternut squash risotto that is tasty and quick for my veggie teen when we are eating a meaty dinner.

I have been eyeing up the frozen blocks of garlic and ginger but tbh they don't take up much time to chop anyway. I keep ginger in the freezer and grate it directly into food(thanks to Ainsley for that tip) and chills too but I chop them from freezer as needed as they start to soften in minutes.

chillies not chills!

Pick, I dream of your freezer!!

Frozen mash is my godsend, along with the frozen chopped peppers, onions, chillies etc. I especially like the chillies and garlic because DP hates both so when I'm in the middle of cooking and separating off for her without it's so much easier. In fresh prepared, I love the M&S colcannon - has anyone tried the new Iceland frozen version?

I don't particularly like the frozen baked potatoes, mostly because I can't get the sweet spot between not cooked through and overdone. I have found that the Sainsburys vivaldi bakers reliably cook in an hour in the oven, so that's my shortcut for them.

I love the little frozen blocks of garlic and ginger puree.

Mr too, much better than the frozen chopped garlic, which is too roughly cut for curries.

The cubed ones are made by Taj, my ASDA sell them sometimes. Its a proper puree which is needed for curries.
They come in 30 or so small ice cube sized blocks in a bag, in Garlic, Ginger and a Garlic/Ginger combo.
Great for garlic bread too, I defrost one in a bowl, add some olive oil and salt and pour over ciabatta or left over baguette, flash in the grill, garlic bread in seconds.

Where can you get frozen soffrito (or fresh even)?

Cannellini beans (From a tin - rinsed well because it's the liquid it's cooked in that causes gas) can be zapped in the microwave for three minutes then mashed with butter (and garlic and parsley if that's your cup of tea). They can be mashed with pesto if you don't have nut allergies in the house. They are a brilliant substitute for mashed spuds when you're pressed for time. Plus they're higher in fibre and oligosaccharides which help feed your natural gut flora. Did I mention that they're delicious??? My kids love them mashed with black beans as well. (Can also be a good vehicle for smuggling cooked kale or spinach into fussy little beasts)

You can mash them with a potato smasher or just chuck them into the blender for a creamy puree. Leftovers can be used to thicken soup, too!

*Cannellini beans are also known as Fava beans or white beans. Not to be confused with butter beans which are bigger and drier in texture.

I forgot that I used to puree all my leftover veggies and freeze them. I would thaw out the mystery veggies and smuggle them into spaghetti bolognese sauce very successfully.

You could grate cheese over frozen mash and microwave it.

I didn't even know frozen mash was a thing. I will defo be giving it a go 😀

Ooh good tip on mashed cannellini beans, justilou, I’ll try that, sounds delish.