Can you make microwave mash in a Pyrex bowl? It is in fact a really quick and easy way to make mash – and uses the bare minimum of equipment! Total time taken to make microwave mash is 10 minutes to make enough mashed potato for one or two servings – you can make more by using a larger bowl and just cooking the potatoes for a little longer.
I cook all my mashed potatoes in the microwave oven and will use a variety of dishes to achieve that. I’ve got a microwave steamer, I use a Sistema Soup Bowl, I’ve used a Pyrex jug, or sometimes I use a small Pyrex bowl. Over the years I’ve bought a couple of smallish Pyrex bowls, just for microwave cooking, as they’re handy for when I’m cooking slightly larger quantities, especially those that need space to be turned, or they need space to cook more efficiently.
Pyrex is microwave safe glass, so ideal for using to make custard in the microwave, or casseroles, ‘stir fry’, chow mein, or just mashed potato! I also use the bowl to make larger quantities of Chinese Mayflower curry sauce, suitable for a very generous portion on a Fakeaway Night.
You Will Need:
A Pyrex bowl, large enough to hold your potatoes comfortably as you’ll be turning them over, so will need space to do that without them tumbling out.
- Potatoes, peeled.
- A splash of water
- A pinch of salt
- A knob of butter or margarine
- Salt/pepper to taste
How to Microwave Mash:
- Peel and slice the potatoes – it’s not critical to do this, but slicing the potatoes means they cook quicker.
- Place the potatoes into a Pyrex bowl with a splash of cold water, you’re not trying to cover the potatoes, you just want to provide water that will turn into steam and it’s the steam that does the cooking. Add a dash of salt if you wish, I’m not a big user of salt and only add it out of “guilt” that one’s supposed to add a pinch of salt !
- Cover the Pyrex bowl, not tightly; I use a flat microwave splatter guard as it’s the right size.
- Microwave for 3 minutes on High. Give the potatoes a turn.
- Microwave for a further 3 minutes on High. Give the potatoes a turn.
- Microwave for a final 3 minutes on High.
- Now check the potatoes – just slice through one with a knife or fork and see if it breaks up easily, if it doesn’t then microwave for a further 1-3 minutes
- Drain off any excess liquid (there will be very little).
- Add a knob of butter or margarine; add salt/pepper to taste. Mash the potato with a fork – I typically just use a fork to mash the potato as I like “lumpy mash”, but it’s your choice to use a potato masher, or an electric potato creamer if you prefer super smooth potato!
Once you’ve got the mash to the texture you prefer it’s ready to serve.
Can You Freeze Microwave Mash?
Yes you can freeze microwave mash. If this were pre-planned, then I’d mash the potato without adding the butter/margarine. You can add those in when you defrost and use the mash.
You can freeze leftovers too, just box it up and put it in the freezer.