What could be simpler? Or easier? Or tastier? Or more versatile? KFC Mashed Potato Poppers are just the thing to banish French Fry Fatigue! Inspired by an Aussie classic, they’ve just been added to the menu at KFC outlets across the US…
I’ll admit I’ve passed on the opportunity to feature ‘Refried Mashed Potatoes’ in this space more than once before. The concept seemed too facile to interest my faithful readers. And too simple to satisfy your ever-increasing level of culinary sophistication. Shame on me!
The epitome of simple sophistication?
Contrary to my first assessment… This simple potato-on-potato ‘popper’ may represent the apex of side-dish simplicity and elegance.
So, it may strike some stuck-up, sticky-beaked snobs out there that the concept first came to pro-minence in rough-and-ready Australia. Down there, they’re a fast food staple, and go by the monicker, ‘mashies’.
“We were inspired by Mashies,” a KFC spokesperson told Food & Wine. “But our new Mashed Potato Poppers are a refined, modern take on our iconic mashed potatoes.”
‘Serving suggestions’
They are beloved as dippers, because the basic version looks and tastes like a culinary blank canvas; literally goes with anything. Gravy takes precedence as the ‘classic’ dip. But any sauce pairs equally well with mashies. Aussies tend to choose their dipping sauce to complement the main to which their mashies are supporting.
Often , they’ll just sop up whatever is left over of whatever liquid accompaniment came with the main.
Or, you can simply get a big order of Mashies and pair with the dip of your choice. Just like we do with fries.
Make your own…
I’m sure you can figure out – without too much trouble – how to make your own mashies at home! Your basic starting point is very stiff creamy mashed potatoes with only a little milk or cream, a touch of butter, and salt to taste.
The KFC version is obviously deep-fried. But there’s nothing to say you can’t make your own a differ-ent shape. I recommend a slightly squashed ball or a more-flattened mini croquette, either of which can be pan-fried. As for the finished product. Think of ‘potato truffles’: a crunchy exterior with a creamy interior that melt in your mouth!
From there, you can do anything you want, to enhance the flavour and/or texture. The same rules apply for supplementing the ‘filling’ as govern dipping choices. Complement the main, and don’t get too fancy. Anything you can think of can go into the creamy centre: Spices, savoury herbs, bacon bits. You name it!
My take
My big take-away from today’s post? When you’re stuck for a side dish – even for the most exotique main – default to mashed potato poppers and tune them to the overall theme of your dish.
Your guests will automatically hear Frank Sinatra singing his 1955 super-hit: ‘Love and Marriage’… Mashed Potato Poppers paired with just about anything quite simply constitute, ‘an institute you can’t disparage’!
~ Maggie J.