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Box of Reser's Mashed Potatoes
Bowl of Reser's Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan cheese added
Container of Reser's Mashed Potatoes
Adding cheese to Reser's Mashed Potatoes

We tried some of the Main St. Bistro Mashed Potatoes from Costco one time and have been buying them ever since. These potatoes are neither lumpy nor mushy, but they are nice and creamy. They are especially delicious with Parmesan cheese added in. We sometimes freeze a package so it lasts longer (even though it says keep refrigerated), and it still tastes just as good.

This is how we usually cook the refrigerated mashed potatoes (both 26 oz boxes):

  • Warm up one of the mashed potatoes boxes in the microwave for 3 minutes
  • Put the mashed potatoes from first box into a bowl
  • Fold in shredded Parmesan cheese to taste while it's still warm (we usually use enough Parmesan cheese so that it covers the top of the potatoes)
  • Warm up the second box of mashed potatoes in microwave for 2 minutes
  • Add the mashed potatoes from the second box into the bowl
  • Fold in more shredded Parmesan cheese to taste
  • Let the bowl of mashed potatoes sit in the refrigerator overnight
  • The next day (or same day) -- put the bowl of mashed potatoes in the oven (325 degrees F) for 45 minutes to 1 hour... and enjoy!
  • As a side note the easiest way to make these mashed potatoes is just following the microwave instructions on the box. It takes less than 10 minutes, and they still taste good.

    Overall Rating:
    Good
    Food: Reser's Main St. Bistro Mashed Potatoes
    Source: Costco, Tucson, AZ
    Price: $5.99 for twin pack (two 26oz boxes)
    Rating: Good

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    Box of Trader Joe's Butternut Squash & Creamed Spinach Gratin
    Trader Joe's Butternut Squash & Creamed Spinach Gratin

    I tried some of the Butternut Squash and Creamed Spinach Gratin from Trader Joe's. These appear to be a seasonal item at Trader Joe's that's usually available towards the end and beginning of each year.

    The back of the box states, "Imagine making a non-meat lasagna with thinly sliced butternut squash in place of pasta and layered with flavorful creamed spinach and Parmesan cheese."

    That actually didn't sound very appealing to me... I like lasagna-type foods, and I like squash, spinach, and cheese, but the idea of them all combined into one thing sounded gross. I will note someone else bought this, as I probably wouldn't have bought it on my own to try.

    Even though it didn't sound very appealing, we still prepared it using the microwave instructions and gave it a taste.

    At the very least, I was expecting to be able to taste the Parmesan cheese or the sweetness from the squash, but, unfortunately, it was all overwhelmed by a bad, sour taste... it kind of tasted like a sour quiche or something (I do not like quiche, by the way...). Both my boyfriend and I thought it was pretty disgusting. Oddly, one person we shared it with said it was his favorite dish. Shudder. I don't think I will eat this ever again.

    Update: SO... I was wrong about never eating this again. My boyfriend's parents bought this again as a side for another meal so I ended up trying it a second time... and this time it was delicious! It was sweet with a little cheesy taste and wasn't super sour like the other box I had. I guess something might have gone bad with the first box?

    Another Update: I had more of this since it was delicious last time, but sometimes it doesn't taste as sweet. Sometimes it's delicious, and sometimes it's more bland and just not as good.

    Overall Rating:
    Good
    Food: Trader Joe's Butternut Squash & Creamed Spinach Gratin
    Source: Trader Joe's, Tucson, AZ
    Rating: 1st try: Disgusting, 2nd try: Delicious, Subsequent tries: Inconsistent (Sometimes delicious, sometimes OK)
    from Trader Joes

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    Box of Trader Joe's Chicken Sausage & Cornbread Stuffing
    Trader Joe's Chicken Sausage & Cornbread Stuffing

    We tried some of Trader Joe's Chicken Sausage and Cornbread Stuffing as a side with some turkey.

    We warmed it up just following the microwave instructions on the back of the box.

    The dominant flavors in the stuffing were celery and pepper, and I didn't really like the texture of the little celery pieces. I couldn't really taste the chicken sausage because I just tasted pepper.

    The stuffing was OK, but wasn't great.

    Overall Rating:
    OK
    Food: Trader Joe's Chicken Sausage & Cornbread Stuffing
    Source: Trader Joe's, Tucson, AZ
    Rating: OK
    from Trader Joes

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