Have you ever tried to make a meal including mashed potatoes when camping? I don't think anyone does it because it's too hard to do in a tent. This is when Sainsburys Instant Mashed Potato Mix comes into its own.

I think just about anybody writing a review will explain emphatically that they prefer genuine mash to the real thing. I'm no different - but when I'm off in the great outdoors it's a different thing. A bag of instant mash is great (I put it with tinned peas, tinned sweetcorn and some Linda McCartney veggie sausages - quick, easy and tasty camping dinner).

I thought the packaging was surprisingly large when I first saw it - especially when I saw the teeny price of 34p. The packaging is nice and simple - and if you're buying instant mash then you cannot be snobby about the orange 'Basics' logo!

It also has a sign on the front proclaiming it vegetarian and vegan (you would hope so with potatoes really) and a stapline which says, ' less white, still alright'. I don't know about it being less white - the mix just looks potato colour to me.

To make up, hot water (and some milk - I use soya milk) is placed in a bowl and the mix is put into it. You need to stir it briskly with a fork to get it to a mash consistency. Seasoning can be added (I recommend it). Salt and pepper and a knob of butter/vegan marg really helps the taste.

1 packet of the potato mix will make six servings. I used it for two camping meals and I still have quite a lot of the pack left (and camping days seriously dwindling).

I found the instant mash very acceptable. I wouldn't say that it tasted exactly like real mashed potato - but then I did not expect it to. I actually think all instant mash should taste like 'Smash' used to many years ago - the gold star of mash in a packet! Smother the stuff in gravy and you cannot distinguish a flavour anyway.

Per 100g, the mash has 73 calories. Other nutritional information -

Fat 0.2g
Sat Fat 0.0g
Total Sugar 1.6g
Salt Trace


To Conclude
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The taste was definately much less synthetic than I thought it would be. It was easy to mix up and did not leave any lumps. The consistency was fairly smooth. It was very compatible with the food that I put with it and the other people that ate it with me ate it all up.

The potato mashers at the side of this review amuse me. Not needed here!