Fake Mashed Potatoes

[rt49andellis]

I never in my life thought I'd be making fake mashed potatoes. But after a car accident it made it hard to peel potatoes. Red potatoes aren't SO aweful...but still hard to manage.

I absolutely hate the taste of the powdered potatoes. No matter how much butter and spices and cheese I put in, you can always tell they're not real. So... my question is... what the heck ARE the powdered potatoes? Is it just some weird concoction they put together that turns out looking like mashed potatoes? Or is is dried potatoes or what??? And any suggestions on getting them to taste closer to real would be appreciated also.

[Raquelita]

I know what you mean about the difference between fake and real - i think it's all the extra artificial flavorings that they add, and also the weird super smooth texture.

[mtmomj]

I know what you mean. I don't make "fake" potatoes often, but when I do I usually put salt, pepper, garlic, butter, and chicken broth or beef broth in there instead of milk or water and let them sit for a while before eating them.

[Manga]

Ive had some when ive gone on hikes and treks to the middle of no where. Just dont eat it too much. Add water and you get potatoes!!!! haha, stick to the healthier alternative. Its all powder, add water and voila

[rt49andellis]

Never thought of using broth instead of water. I'll have to try that. Usually I use about 1/4 cup of water and the rest of the liquid is butter and milk - no matter what the directions say. It seems to take away some of the 'yuck' but not enough to make my tastebuds happy.

[Mama Mangia]

rt49 - I know what you mean - after my accident I just couldn't get my hands back to normal - if you can scrub your taters you can make smashed potatoes without peeling them - some people don't like potato skins - but I do - and I would rather have smashed than fake

[oldbay]

When I was in the Navy about 25 years ago, they had these huge potato peeling machines in the galley, and would always make mashed potatoes frm scratch. I wonder if they still do that or it they've moved to dried instant potatoes.

[Manga]

yeah freeze dries, they dont taste nice if you eat it days on end

[rt49andellis]

When I was in the Navy about 25 years ago, they had these huge potato peeling machines in the galley, and would always make mashed potatoes frm scratch. I wonder if they still do that or it they've moved to dried instant potatoes.

I thought peeling potatoes was part of being in the military. LOL And at this point in my life I understand why it would be a good punishment. I had one of those potato peelers and it just never worked good enough for me.

I'm not into eating potato skins in the mashed taters. That just doesn't sound good at all! But, Mama Mangia, you're probably right about it being better than the fake ones.

[Mama Mangia]

I am one who does eat potato skins - baked potato skins are great! Some people wouldn't touch a potato skin - but it has to be a GOOD potato skin - I'm very fussy! I can tell by the feel of the potato skin if I would like to eat it or not - and there are potatoes out there that I would not eat there skins! I won't eat the skins from a baked potato in a restaurant - don't know if they washed them first!