First, I have to start this post with a thanks to Wendy’s Bloggers and Idahoan for the chance to review Idahoan Mashed Potatoes, which handily saved my Thanksgiving dinner.
I got a little carried away with multitasking on Turkey Day and decided to take a shower while my potatoes boiled on the stove. A long story short: I left the taters on way too long and when I remembered, I discovered waterlogged, nearly disintegrated potatoes. Once I drained the water, I was left with a pile of mush, way too wet to be anything but potato soup. No way could I add milk or butter.
Enter Idahoan Flavored Mashed Potatoes. My box had arrived a few days before the holiday and was sitting in the kitchen offering salvation. I added two pouches of the Loaded Baked flavor to my watery mess. The dried potato flakes soaked up the moisture and restored my ruined mashed potatoes to fluffy perfection. I was able to add a little cream and butter and my salvaged side dish received rave reviews. The Loaded Baked flavor added just a hint of bacon-y cheesiness and earned me hostess with the most-ess status. Yay baby!
So, folks take note. If you decide to go with the hassle of washing, peeling, cubing, boiling, draining, and mashing your potatoes and you mess up, count on Idahoan for help!
But I digress…
As part of the deal to review Idahoan Mashes Potatoes I was asked to prepare a recipe selected from the Idahoan website.
Did you have any idea there is a ton of things you can make from instant mashed potatoes? I certainly didn’t but now I do, and I’m sold! The possibilities were endless and I was left a little overwhelmed, so I decided to go with something easy — the Four Cheese Mashed Potato Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms. YUM!
Four Cheese Mashed Potato Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Lately, I have been letting my toddler help in the kitchen. She is only two-years-old but with her always underfoot and tripping me I have found that plopping her down on a stool and giving her a simple (and safe) task I could avoid disaster. Allowing her help out is fun bonding time for us and teaches her new things. Some of my fondest childhood memories are helping my mom or grandma in the kitchen, and I enjoy sharing the same experiences with my sweet girl. Plus, it’s a sure-fire way to get Miss Jax to try something new!
Just a few ingredients are need to create Idahoan’s Four Cheese Mashed Potato Stuffed Portobello Mushroom. Simple and delicious.
Princess Jax loves helping mommy prepare meals. Simple tasks keep her safely in one place and out of danger in the kitchen. Here she is pouring water to prepare the potatoes and prepping the mushrooms by rubbing them with olive oil and seasoning them with salt and pepper.
Dinner is served. Jax enjoying the fruits of her labor.
If you have any reservations about using instant mashed potatoes; DON’T! Idahoan Mashed Potatoes are just as delicious as the real thing, in fact, better because they take mere minutes to prepare. Idahoan offers many delicious flavors of mashed potatoes as well. The ones I tried for this review include:
Buttery Homestyle: yummy simplicity for the mashed potatoes purists.
Baby Reds: creamy and flecked with skins for a rustic look and delicious taste.
Loaded Baked: bursting with cheese, onion, sour cream and bacon flavor.
Four Cheese: my favorite! Rich in sharp cheese flavor.
Roasted Garlic: my other favorite! Subtle garlic flavor but super tasty!
You’ll ace every meal if it includes Idahoan Mashed Potatoes!
Here’s your chance to win the exact Idahoan package I received including 20 pouches of Idahoan Mashed potatoes (four of each flavor listed above), an Idahoan mug/bowl (big enough for a steamy serving of potato soup) and an Idahoan deck of cards. Giveaway ends January 5, 2015. One winner will be selected at random and notified via email. One winner per household, email address, or home address. If you have won this prize on another blog you are ineligible to win again. Winners must have a U.S.-based address to receive their prize. Enter now!
I participated in this event on behalf of Wendy’s Bloggers for Idahoan Foods. I received Idahoan products to facilitate my review.
Now I really want mashed potatoes!
Hey Lissa! I bet you would LOVE the mashed potato stuffed mushrooms! So good.
mmm…we love Idahoan potatoes at our house, super easy, quick side to a hot meal…especially with the craziness of a toddler and a new baby, I am always looking for great recipes!
Maureen, you NEED to check out Idahoan’s recipe page! TONS of recipes using the instant mashed potatoes – even desserts. Tell Matt I said hello, give Declan a high five from me and give that sweet new baby extra cuddles from me and Jax! Miss you.
Yes, I have used instant mashed potatoes and liked them!
Hi Mini! Thanks for the comment! Good luck.
Yes, I have. Instant mashed potatoes make a great Loaded Baked Potato Soup if you’re in a hurry!
Nancy! YES! Instant mashed taters make a wonderful potato soup! That’s what we had for dinner tonight! Thanks for the comment.
I am so going to stuff some huge portabella caps with Idahoan mashed potatoes so soon!
Kattzzzfl, do it! You will not be disappointed. Absolutely delicious.
I need to try this potato soup other people commented about. My last attempt was years ago and I overflowed the food processor -huge mess! Lol
Hi Lindsay! I have a great, easy recipe for baked potato soup on my blog. Do a search and you will find it! It’s the best. You can sub out the instant Idahoan Potatoes to make it even easier! Also check out all the recipes on Idahoan’s website. You can even make deserts with instant potatoes! Who knew?!
Yes just used them of quick side dish
Hi Kathy! Thanks for the comment. Good luck!
Yes – you can use them to make an easy “Shepard’s pie” for a quick dinner… also you can use them as a thickener – in gravy, soups etc. Love ’em! TY4 the chance….
Hi there! I used them to make shep pie a few nights ago! YUM!
Yes, have used instant mashed potatoes in a pancake recipe.
Hi shirley! In pancakes? really? That sounds interesting. Care to share the recipe? You can email it to me at yaybabyblog@gmail.com.
I have never used them in a recipe. I have used them by themselves with just butter or gravy on them. Love them thanks
Hi Carol. You should try them in a recipe. The stuffed mushrooms I posted are delightful! Visit the Idahoan recipe page for inspiration, you will be floored by all the possibilities! Thanks for commenting. Good luck!
I don’t think I have. But there is a bean soup recipe I am planning on trying at their site. It sounds delicious.
Hi Karin, I bet that bean soup is delicious. Rich and hearty from the potatoes! Enjoy. Good luck.
Yes,I have also used them for potato soup.
I love potato soup! And these Idahoan instant potatoes help you make it quick and delicious! Thanks for the comment. Good luck.