On Monday, September 12, 2016 at 8:27:50 AM UTC-10, Gary wrote:
> dsi1 wrote:
> >
> > The Compleat Meal will cost twice that but it's a lot cheaper than my other options. I'll probably think the potatoes are just fine. I don't get a chance to eat potatoes very often so yeah, I'll think they're OK.
>
> I wouldn't worry about the potatoes either. No doubt they are instant
> but I actually kind of like instant potatoes for a change. I use real
> potatoes 95% of the time but the instant are ok to me too. Different
> taste but not horrible. It's somewhat like the difference between fresh
> tuna and canned tuna. Different but both are good.
>
> Having a box of instant is also a good backup for fixing real mashed
> potatoes. Occasionally, I'll add in a bit too much milk and the real
> mashed are a bit too runny. Just toss in a handful of instant flakes for
> an instant fix.

I have used instant mashed potatoes. The idea of making it from scratch is unappealing. I have tried to make it before but it's typically a fail. The way I do it is to put some water and butter in a rice cooker and when it boils, dump in some instant potatoes. It's faster and simpler that way. The rice cooker also keeps the potatoes warm!

My guess is that Asians cannot make mashed potatoes from scratch. It's too white of a food.