The Good: Easy to make, Has some nutritional value, Simple packaging, Easy preparation, Tastes great!
The Bad: Actually, none that I can find!
The Basics: Idahoan Applewood Smoked Bacon instant mashed potatoes are a perfect instant potato!
Sometimes when I encounter something, it takes me a little bit of time to realize it is perfect. This happens less and less for me with music and movies – where I can usually spot a problem early on – but happens with increasing frequency in the area of food. Considering, for example, the new Idahoan Applewood Smoked Bacon flavor instant mashed potatoes, I think the company may have hit on perfection. After all, there is a strong, smoky bacon flavor, without drowning out the familiar flavor of potatoes, and the fact that they aren’t as cheesy as I might like is irrelevant; Idahoan does not promise that flavor in these potatoes.
No, we might well have perfection by default in the Applewood Smoked Bacon mashed potatoes as they deliver exactly what they promise affordably.
Basics
Idahoan Applewood Smoked Bacon Mashed Potatoes come in a four ounce plastic package with a simple tear open top. There are four servings per container and basically, these are instant mashed potatoes that may be made on either the stove top or in the microwave. The serving size is supposed to be only half a cup but just getting home from work, it's pretty easy to down a whole batch in one sitting!
The Applewood Smoked Bacon flavored potatoes are a vibrant, aromatic instant potato blend that, even in its powdered form, has the smell of bacon to it. These bright yellow/orange potato buds make the Applewood Smoked Bacon flavored mashed potatoes instantly special and distinctive!
Ease Of Preparation
The Idahoan Applewood Smoked Bacon Mashed Potatoes are ridiculously easy to make. I mean, if making tea is as easy as "pour boiling water over the tea bags," it's hard to see how these potatoes are much more of a culinary challenge.
On the stove top, the Applewood Smoked Bacon Mashed Potatoes truly are as easy as boiling water. Two cups of water need to be boiled and removed from the heat. Once the water is boiling, simply tear open the package, pour the potato buds into the water and stir. After a minute, the potatoes will be rehydrated and they need to simply be stirred again and they are ready to consume. Depending on one's stove, the potatoes might take up to four minutes to prepare on the stove top.
In the microwave, the directions are almost as easy. Simple combine two cups cold water in a microwavable bowl, stir in the Idahoan instant potatoes and microwave on high for three to four minutes. When the microwave beeps, stir once and they are ready to eat!
Taste
The Idahoan Applewood Smoked Bacon Mashed Potatoes smell, rather appropriately, like bacon and cheddar cheese. The smell is inviting for those who love bacon.
On the tongue, the Applewood Smoked Bacon Mashed Potatoes have a more subtle flavor than one might expect from the aroma. Even so, the Applewood Smoked Bacon Mashed Potatoes have a flavor that is smoky and there is a bacon grease flavor that is infused in the potatoes from the first bite to the last. These are robust, meaty flavored potatoes and true to the promised name. At the same time, the flavor is distinctly potato, so those who love potatoes will not feel like they are being cheated. These potatoes balance the flavors extraordinarily well and that makes for a very inviting dining experience.
The Applewood Smoked Bacon potatoes leave no aftertaste on the tongue or in the mouth.
Nutrition
The nice thing about the Idahoan Applewood Smoked Bacon Mashed Potatoes is that they are fairly nutritious, as they are made with real potatoes. One serving has 100 calories, fifteen of which are from fat. A serving has 3% of the daily recommended fat (2 grams), one gram of which is saturated fat. There is no cholesterol or vitamin A, but there is quite a bit of salt (23% of one's daily sodium), a couple grams of protein, and a little bit of carbohydrates (7% of the RDA). There is also a miniscule amount of Calcium and Iron, which makes one wonder why Idahoan did not have the product made with milk to beef up the nutrition some. It is remarkably easy with just the water, though, so it's hard to complain.
The nutritional information also notes that these potatoes contain milk and soy. These potatoes are gluten free.
The instant mashed potatoes are intended as a side dish, but they seem like they would supply some decent energy for the outdoorsman who wants something light and delicious to eat while on hikes or camping trips. With the sodium content, though, it is highly recommended one have more than just the two cups water needed to rehydrate these potatoes on hand!
Storage/Clean-up
After several minutes of looking, I discovered that the pouch of Applewood Smoked Bacon mashed potatoes I bought last week expire in September 2013.
Once they are made, though, they should probably be eaten within a few days, if refrigerated. Truth be told, I've never made a batch and not finished it right off.
Cleanup is ridiculously easy as well; simply wash the bowl the potatoes were made in. I've noticed the Idahoan Applewood Smoked Bacon Mashed Potatoes do not stick to the sides of the metal pot I use and any buds that remain on the plate or fork wash right off.
Overall
It took me a few minutes to realize, but Idahoan Applewood Smoked Bacon mashed potatoes might well be the perfect instant mashed potato. They live up to all their promises on the flavor front, are easy to make, affordable, and exactly as nutritious as one would expect instant potatoes to be. For a great side, Idahoan gets it absolutely right with their new Applewood Smoked Bacon instant mashed potatoes!
For other side dishes or bacon-infused products, check out my reviews of:
Idahoan Butter and Herb Mashed Potatoes
Idahoan Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Kraft Deli Deluxe Bacon Cheddar cheese slices
10/10
For other food reviews, please visit my Food Review Index Page!
© 2013 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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