Today: You say potato, I say giveaway.
[tweetmeme source=”elizabethev” only_single=false] When the lovely people at MyBlogSpark sent me a big package featuring Betty Crocker’s new “Loaded” Mashed Potatoes, I was super excited. Until I realized these potatoes were fully loaded… with bacon. Being a vegetarian, bacon’s something I am usually looking to unload. So I enlisted Nick to be my taster. He has good taste after all (helloooo, check me out… just kidding… kind of).
Betty Crocker‘s instant potatoes are made with 100% real russet potatoes, plus a blend of seasonings and toppings such as the aforementioned bacon, sour cream, cheese and chives. Knowing the potatoes would be ready in a matter of minutes, with the addition of a few ingredients I happened to have on hand (butter, milk and water), I wanted to give myself a bit of a challenge. I stumbled upon this recipe for making gnocchi with instant potatoes, made a few modifications and got to it.
They may not be the prettiest little things, but Nick gave these gnocchi two thumbs up. Actually, what he really said was “Wow, this tastes just like real gnocchi… and the consistency is the same too.” He was smiling, so I think it’s safe to assume he would give it two thumbs up. I’m looking forward to making this recipe again, and perhaps trying my hand at potato bread. I’d love to hear what you might whip up with a box of instant potatoes. Even if it’s just… potatoes.
One lucky winner will receive a prize pack that includes a box of new Betty Crocker “Loaded Mashed” potatoes, an Oxo mixing bowl, plus a magnetic hanging pot holder, silicone spoonula, and measuring cup– all in that cheery Betty Crocker red.
Disclosure: This product, prize pack, related information and an additional prize pack to give away were provided to me by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark. I was not paid to review this product. My opinions are my own… and Nick’s opinions are mine too. Just kidding, they’re his.
To enter, leave a comment below, sharing your favorite kitchen short cut. For additional entries, please feel free to tweet (“You say potato, @ElizabethEv says giveaway: http://wp.me/pySBS-Yl”) or link back to this post– just be sure to leave a comment letting me know you’ve done so. I will select a winner on Thursday evening.
Also On Tap for Today:
- A few more instant potato ideas
- Flower power in celebration of this spring weather
- Meetings, meetings and more meetings
What is your favorite kitchen short cut?
Comments (26)
Jeremy
April 11, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Favorite kitchen shortcut: Sad, but true… Just act confused, and someone steps in!
Jeremy
April 11, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Tweet: http://twitter.com/bikeohio/status/57500527684104192
Nick “The Boyfriend”
April 11, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Let me step in here for a moment and give feedback from the trenches.
To be completely honest… going into this I was slightly skeptical. Instant potatoes + experimental gnocchi procedures passed down through generations of bloggers sounded like a recipe for disaster. I was sitting in the living room and Elizabeth was in her lab I heard pots clanging, water boiling, multiple timers going off… I could tell she was in the zone. Also knowing that the potatoes contained bacon that I would be the one to try this little concoction. Elizabeth emerged with a bowl of gnocchi and I have to say it was excellent. The consistency was perfect and taste was exactly what I expected (if not better).
I rate this experiment an A+.
p.s. – Let it be known I tried to feed some to Clark for a second opinion and Elizabeth told me no.
p.p.s – Let it also be known I fed Clark a little piece when she turned his back and he also seemed to enjoy it.
Jeremy
April 11, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Let’s hear your take on the homemade root beer.
Nick “The Boyfriend”
April 11, 2011 at 3:07 pm
You may want to pass on that one.
Melissa
April 11, 2011 at 2:15 pm
My favorite shortcut? THe Microwave and toaster oven. I use the microwave for everything… boiled eggs. hot dogs. sweet potatos. potatoes. X) my best friend once flipped when I told her I used my microwave for sweet potatoes and didnt believe that I could do it. haha. X)
Jennifer
April 11, 2011 at 2:29 pm
My favorite kitchen shortcut is definitely instant potatoes. I actually just made them last night 🙂
allison
April 11, 2011 at 3:01 pm
My favorite shortcut… it sorta lame… when baking i don’t sift , ever . i just throw the dry ingredients into a bowl with a whisk ( or the mixer) and stir it up a bit. IME it hasn’t affected the end result.
Teresa Young
April 11, 2011 at 5:48 pm
My favorite kitchen shortcut is to buy ground beef in bulk and brown it all up, then divvy it up into freezer bags in 1 pound portions. Then it is all ready for dinner time for sloppy joes, tacos or to be added to spaghetti sauce.
tmyoung at rochester dot rr dot com
Teresa Young
April 11, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/tmy56/status/57560883446022146
tmyoung at rochester dot rr dot com
alittleteteatete
April 11, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Store bought rotisserie chicken is my big short cut, for sure!!! 🙂
Ann B
April 11, 2011 at 7:13 pm
My shortcut is to defrost in the microwave after I’ve forgotten to take something out for dinner!
Ann B
April 11, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/ababe28/status/57582580802916352
Johannah B
April 11, 2011 at 7:55 pm
I usually make up (or measure out) my bread ingredients in advance and so I can just either put them into the bread machine(one type), or rise (artisan)and pop in the oven.
Johannah B
April 11, 2011 at 7:56 pm
http://twitter.com/#!/1prizewinner/status/57592904251736064
Donna Clookey
April 11, 2011 at 9:33 pm
My favorite shortcut is is to plan, plan, and plan some more. That can make the week’s meal be done in a flash! Jake765 at aol dot com
Donna Clookey
April 11, 2011 at 9:37 pm
DClookey1 Donna Clookey
“You say potato, @ElizabethEv says giveaway: http://wp.me/pySBS-Yl”)
Donna Clookey
April 11, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Jake765 at aol dot com
LeAnn V.
April 11, 2011 at 9:44 pm
The pre-cooked rotisserie chickens are my favorite shortcut. So easy to throw into a soup, serve over a salad or into a casserole, etc.
LeAnn V.
April 11, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/dancersmom69/status/57620338745421824
fitinthemidwest
April 11, 2011 at 10:19 pm
My favorite short cut is to chop up veggies (before they go bad) and start using them up in lunches or recipes. It also encourages me to eat more veggies. If I see carrot sticks in the fridge, I am more likely to snack on those than chocolate–well most of the time anyway. 🙂
fitinthemidwest
April 11, 2011 at 10:22 pm
I tweeted about the giveaway (@FitintheMidwest)
Wendy Smith
April 12, 2011 at 11:43 am
My favorite shortcut I am willing to admit is using frozen vegetables when I’m in a hurry. I like the ones that you just throw in the microwave and they steam the vegetables.
Also tweeted @drwhogrl “You say potato, @ElizabethEv says giveaway: http://wp.me/pySBS-Yl”
tess
April 12, 2011 at 3:25 pm
kitchen short cut- make enough to freeze the other meal for next week…
tcogbill at live dot com
or cook scrambled eggs in the microwave
Chetney
April 12, 2011 at 8:56 pm
My favorite kitchen shortcut is getting my husband to cook for me! This is a seriously new development as he hadn’t even peeled an orange before 28 yrs old! His specialties are scrambled eggs, my specialty is eating them 🙂
Katherine
April 13, 2011 at 12:35 am
Those look delicious! I have never actually tried to make them, but now I want to.
My kitchen shortcut? Using ground flax seed to “thicken” anything I am making…oatmeal, smoothies, scrambled eggs, soups…Not only is it healthier than flour, it stirs in smooth.