A Giveaway for a Quick and Easy Dinner!
Congrats to the winner of our last giveaway from MyBlogSpark and Wanchai Ferry! And now it’s time for another one! This time MyBlogSpark teamed up with Betty Crocker to provide Betty Crocker Instant Mashed Potatoes to us and one lucky winner. The prize pack includes a box of Homestyle Creamy Butter flavor and a box of Roasted Garlic flavor, along with a lovely wooden serving bowl, trivet, and serving spoon.
Oddly enough, around the same time I received this pack to try, I also was given a few packs of Idahoan Buttery Instant Mashed Potatoes and Garlic Mashed Potatoes by a friend, and one pouch of Great Value (Walmart brand, I think) Instant Mashed Potatoes by a relative who used the other pouch (two come in each box) to make potato bread. So naturally I decided to do a taste test!
I have made mashed potatoes five times in the last two weeks, and have noted the response from hubby and son each time. First off, I have to say all three were vastly superior to the instant mashed potatoes I remember from when I was a kid. You know, the ones that came in the giant cardboard box and tasted a lot like the box too. I have never in my adult life bought instant mashed potatoes, because I remembered them as a last resort emergency food when you were snowed in and had absolutely nothing left to eat. Lol! But all three varieties we tried come in pouches that make 4 servings worth. I think separating the potatoes from contact with the cardboard box is brilliant, and eliminates the cardboard flavor! Also, all three were incredibly quick and easy to make – a major plus if you have a crazy schedule like I do. And really, what mom doesn’t? Anyway, on to the results.
I used three criteria for comparison in my totally non-scientific test: texture, taste, and ingredients list. In terms of texture, the BC flakes dissolved completely, leaving no graininess, only a smooth creamy texture. The others did pretty well also, but required a lot more stirring to get all the lumps dissolved. The taste of the BC was very potato-ey (I know, not a real word). Of the two BC flavors, we like the roasted garlic best, but the butter flavor was good too. We’re just garlic people, I guess. The other two tasted okay as well, but were just not as flavorful. As for the ingredients list, they all started with potatoes as the main ingredient – thankfully – but BC appeared to have fewer additives. (Personal opinion only, I did not compare actual formulas or anything. I only looked at the ingredients list on the side of each box. I did note that all three brands had MSG, so if you can’t have that please take care to check the ingredients list regardless of brand or flavor!)
In the final analysis, my family prefers the BC mashed potatoes. I try to avoid a lot of processed foods, so they will still be used sparingly, but on a busy night when I am running crazy trying to get everyone where they need to be and still get a meal on the ,a side dish that literally takes only minutes from cabinet to table will be a blessing!
If you want to try them as well, leave a comment! I will select a winner to receive the prize pack from Betty Crocker and MyBlogSpark on Friday. And for those of you who don’t win, use this coupon to try them anyway! (If you live in the Southeast, Publix has BC potatoes BOGO this week too. 😉 )
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