Best Instant Mashed Potatoes

[laliz]

no lectures please. I don't know the brand CHers would recommend. DD is in Bolivia this year for TGiving and they wish to recreate dinner as best they can. I am making a pkg to send to her, and wish to know the best brand of IMPs. Thanks for your input.

[laliz]

Thank you everyone for responding! Idahoan buttery were on sale at Albertsons, 10 for $10. 7 pkgs remain to be sent this week. They are good, LOL.

[alkapal]

great price….perfectomundo!

[sunshine842]

another vote for Idahoan -- but ONLY the Buttery Homestyle.

It's one of the few things I still stuff my suitcase with when I go back to the states.

I *do* make homemade mashed potatoes, but there are times when I just don't have the time or energy or potatoes (I keep both waxy and mealy on hand, but guess which ones I'm out of when I want to make mashed potatoes?) -- or just plain give-a-damn...and it's kind of nice to have something on hand that doesn't taste funky (like the other brands do).

[laliz]

DD is working in Cochabamba, Bolivia, at an orphanage, as a volunteer, she does not get paid very much $$$$$. She is also not a cook in any way shape or form. she did learn how to make plantains when she lived in Honduras.

When she is in the U.S. she lives on Trader Joe's.

[laliz]

Thank you every one. Idahoan pouches it is. I will get 3. I also have Pumpkin creme brulee mix, and vegetarian soup base (so she can make "gravy") she is vegetarian and turkey gravy is not her thing.

I am also sending recipe and ingredients for Aunt Louise's sweet potatoes. Have to ask her if they have canned sweet potatoes and canned peaches in Cochabamba.

I'm also going to find out about GBC (the dreaded Green Bean Casserole) ingredients, what she can purchase there.

Someone else is doing the turkey. I'll send stuffing mix.

[Bkeats]

I don't know if I'm being dense but your post has me perplexed. Your daughter is in Bolivia and you're sending her a package of instant mashed potatos? Bolivia, South America right? Where potatos were first domesticated? I understand not being able to find cranberries locally but potatos? I've read that the largest crop grown in Bolivia is potatos.

[Wawsanham]

Agreed. This is very perplexing. Potatoes are readily available in Bolivia. Maybe not "Idaho" potatoes, but certainly other varities that are great for making mashed potatoes. Of course, it may be that she specifically does not want regular potatoes to make the mashed potatoes but rather preferes instant out of a box (which I suspect exists in Bolivia, too--if you have access the right kind of supermarket.

[laliz]

you're not dense. You are surmising (and correctly so I think) that the next generation would purchase peel and cook potatoes and mash them.

Not so much. Yes they have plenty of potatoes in Bolivia, as they do here. She purchases the "most economical" IMPs when she is here. It is her mother who is wanting to ship the potatoes she knows her DD will make and it is because I know she is serving guests. does that make sense?
IOW the chowhound gene has not yet been passed to the next generation.

[KaimukiMan]

thanks for clarifying that. my sister in law is from columbia and her family makes the best potato dishes i ever ate. it's so easy to say "but how can you mess up mashed potatoes" until you have messed up a batch or two. The first time i ever made mashed potatoes from scratch was when I lived in korea. the potatoes were not cheap. but thank goodness i did two test batches in the weeks before thanksgiving. The first ones somehow tasted scorched, the second ones were closer to potato porridge - no idea how i got them so wet, but the third batch on thanksgiving day were perfection.

[alkapal]

idahoan pouches, bar none!

[OldDog]

No lecture from me. We LIKE Idahoan brand and use the pouches often. Homestyle, Butter and Herb or Roasted Garlic are favorites. That they can be prepped with water alone is a plus, since milk is rarely in the house. There are three of us, one a big eater, and one pouch is more than enough...if that helps you figure out how much to send.

[Fibber McGee]

My only caveat is the package recommendation of 2 cups of water seems to me to be too much. But that's typical of products like this, isn't it? When I finally got it right, I have been more than pleased.

[4Snisl]

I like Idahoan pouches- any variety that does not have the skins included (as I don't feel like they soften as much as I'd like them to with just hot liquid.)

Best wishes to your daughter- how nice to have a package sent!

[laliz]

Thank You for responding! She was in Honduras last year at TGiving time and I got a call the day before TGiving, "Mom, we're so homesick, how do you make apple cider?"

So, this year I'm planning ahead.

[4Snisl]

Oh my, did they actually MAKE apple cider?!

I have to admit, the question did make me smile. I was just talking with a vegetarian colleague who was living temporarily in Bolivia....and just about the only things he felt comfortable eating were the variety of potato dishes.

Maybe you can do a shelf-stable potato package exchange and she can send you some chuño :): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu%C3%B1o

[laliz]

Wow. I read your link, having never heard of chuno. She does tell me they eat rice w/every meal and she may never eat white rice again.

No they did not actually make cider, they conceded they had not planned well.
In cochabamba she can get actual cider this year, not really going to ship her some.

[jw615]

I agreed - the Idahoan brand is the best kind. I keep them in the house for quick snacks/meals when I'm sick and don't feel like cooking.