found out last week that potatoes are the cause of the downfall of civilization so we do not get them at home anymore.

my only issue with home made mashed potatoes is that there could be a few small lumps (or big lumps) and if you use just a little too much or not enough of something, it is an inconsistent result...with instant, open and dump a bag in some water and you're pretty much done...

To avoid the lumps, Happy, you have to make sure they are all out prior to adding the milk. I was taught that way by my mother and aunt. If I have lumps in my potatoes I'm quite upset with myself. No one else cares, but I do.

If you put the boiled potatoes through a ricer prior to adding the milk and butter you won't have any lumps. You also want to make sure that as much of the moisture as possible is out of the potatoes prior to mashing. I always try to make sure that the milk and butter are as close to room temp as possible prior to adding them.

or, I can just rip open the packet of Betty Crocker Instant and i'm done!

Thomasj,
Have you heard of using a ricer for cauliflower - to make a cauliflower pizza crust?

Why would one ruin a pizza like that?

Hardy har har Ed, for the kiddo.

I've heard of the cauliflower pizza crust but have never tried it.

Honestly, I rarely make home made mashed potatoes anymore - just on special occasions. The Bob Evans mashed potatoes that you heat in the microwave are much easier when the entire house is starving and wanting dinner on the table on a work night.

When consuming lumpy mashed potatoes, I suppose that thinking of each lump as a mini-baked potato wouldn't work.

Here's the recipe that we're going to try for the cauliflower pizza. http://blog.paleohacks.com/hacks-cauliflower-ricepizza-crust/

I've also seen these used for taco shells.

Similar recipe - but talks more about processing the cauliflower. http://ifoodreal.com/cauliflower-pizza-crust-recipe/

I was going to post why would fake pizza be on a I food real sited until I realized the other site was a Paleo site.

For pizza go to NY and you will find real pizza that is not Paleo. Or you can have Chicago style which makes you look for Paleo and cauliflower.

eater.com had a really good article on NY pizza the other day...proud to say I've eaten at many of the places they covered...and I agree, Chicago style pizza really pales in comparison - just a bunch of thick dough and tomato paste...

we only use Duke's Mayo at my house

This.

You can make instant taters taste nearly like the real thing by swapping the water/milk ratio (or eliminating the water all together ) and adding extra pepper. I don't know why the pepper is so important, but it is.

Having said that, I couldn't even tell you the last time I had ANY kind of mashed tater.

a shirt I saw with a picture of a deer on it:

Hey vegetarians - my food poops on your food

I saw a picture of a hunter with a trophy buck captioned:

"Vegetarians - this guy was eating your food. Don't worry, I took care of him. You're Welcome."

I don't mind lumps in mashed potatoes. If I've got non-lump people, I just whip the potatoes with a mixer. If it's just for my family, I smash the potatoes with a masher then add the butter and milk.

I've never had Duke's mayo. Is it that much better than Hellmans? I like their olive oil may especially in casseroles.

This. And if the mixer makes them too pasty, they just get more milk and/or sour cream added in.

Hunting season can't come soon enough. A Safety & Soundness exam derailed plans for a vacation in July.

Wonder if they sell this Duke's mayonnaise in Texas. I've not heard of the brand. Love good mayo which leaves out Kraft.

^^ Like. Sour cream in mashed potatoes is to die for!!
I need to make some mashed potatoes tonight. Hmm what meat dish to make with them...

BTW the best part of mashed potatoes is the leftovers which turn into potato pancakes on Saturday mornings. Mmmmm

This dumb thread has made me crave mashed potatoes. Like I "need" mashed potatoes ...

Couldn't agree more ... turkey and archery deer and small game start mid-September. of course I have a CRA exam and external auditors and a couple of seminars to attend in September

oh, you poor thing...why do you do this to yourself? I even had Andouille mashed potatoes last week...which was the first time having but certainly won't be the last...

The same story in our house. Apparently there are geese that need to be shot in September and pre-teen daughter is concerned with her groupings (or lack thereof) for youth deer season, that begins the second week of October.

potatoes just don't make it to my grocery list. Once in awhile I'll make homemade tater chips in the microwave (yum)...but I just don't buy starch...never really crave it I guess!