a mashed potato substitute for toppings such as shepards pie

[greyriver]

ds doesnt like soft textures mashed potatoes, I want to batch cook and freeze lots of food, but want to top quite a few with mashed potato, what could I use as an alternative? Or can I add something to make it crunchy to disguise the potato?

tia x

Markng this in case someone has a potato alternative!

I'm allergic to potatos and use lasagne sheets instead.

what about sliced potato over the top?

I think if you layer parboiled sliced potato on top and brush with melted butter before baking it should go nice and crunchy (hot pot stylee)

Will DS do mashed carrot and swede? Different texture to mashed potato.

Could you make some potato gratin/daupinoise type thing - you know sliced spuds cooked up - and freeze separately serve as accompaniment. Does pastry freeze after cooking (no idea) yu could top with pastry instead.

All pie fillings are lovely in their own right so could be served with pasta, bread or anything else really.

Two alternatives I can think of:

• mashed jerusalem artichoke (a little firmer than potato, will make you farty though)

• polenta made with milk & water (you can add chopped veg or cheese, very yummy!) -- this is a great sub for mash in any dish

puff pastry lid

although tbh mine aren't mad on mash so I do a cottage or shepherds pie without the mash and serve with rice or wedges

I hate the texture of mash too. My Mum always used to slice boiled potatoes on top of shepherds pie - sometimes adding a bit of cheese. Very tasty.

I've also got a recipe book that suggests using crushed up crisps as a topping - never tried it though so not sure what it's like in practice, and depends on how salty the crisps are on whether you want to feed them to your kids as well

Crushed cornflakes. Sounds odd but does work. Or sliced sweet potato.

sweet potato?

I often top my shepherds pie with cubed potatoes on top. Sometimes I par-boil them, sometimes not. Just chop into rough cm square cubes and scatter on top. Often top them with parmasan cheese making it a bit crunchy.

Sliced (slightly par-boiled) potatoes with a bit of grated cheese - yummy. Much nicer than mash. I don't know if it freezes or not though.

Cornbread?

Par-boil potatoes (about 10 minutes) and grate for rosti-style topping.

Mashed cauliflower or celeriac ?

homemade breadcrumbs and grated cheese, will crisp up lovely in the oven