DIY Mashed Potatoes in the Microwave

 Maybe I have been hiding under a rock, but it never seriously occurred to me to make mashed potatoes in the microwave, or that there are tools available other than the old handy potato masher which requires almost an aerobic workout to mash?

I just tried this way of doing potatoes in the microwave and was seriously impressed.  They are ready within 15 minutes!

You can do these in a bowl with a cover but the best way I have seen yet for uniform cooking is using a resealable bag such as a freezer bag in a single layer.

Check this Out:

3 potatoes, any kind peeled and quartered

1/2 cup of milk or cream (more if you prefer creamier)

Butter (amounts up to you but I used 1/8th of a cup)

Method:

Step 1 - Place your peeled washed and quartered potatoes into the bag in a single layer

don't seal it, leave it open to let steam escape.

Step 2 - Microwave on high for between 9 and 12 minutes (if this is your first time, check on their tenderness half way through and adjust based on your microwave).

Step 3 - At this point you can simply mash with the typical masher or fork or you can use a Potato Ricer (which I didn't even know existed!)  You can check them out below.

If you have a ricer, then you start feeding the potatoes into it and follow instructions, or you can simply use a manual masher.

Step 4 - Add cream/milk and butter

Step 5 - Mash

Step 6 - ENJOY!!

Not sure how well this will tie in with everyone's New Year's Resolutions on dieting etc... but it is nice to know when you are short on time for dinner, there is an option to the oven fries!

NOTE:  I found the bag such as a freezer bag will microwave the potatoes sooner as with a bowl there is the tendency to need stirring part way through to get all the potatoes cooked.  The single layer approach makes a big difference.

Wet Cell Phone - Don't Use Rice - Do This Instead!

 It is hard not to take it personally, when your cell phone takes a nose dive into the only puddle in the parking lot!

But when it does, it is amazing how fast we move to rescue it!  After all, most of our life is now carried on our cell phones, at least mine is anyways!

So what do you do?  

I heard you put it into a bowl of dry rice, but I have been told differently by an expert on just how you should dry out your phone and rice is the LAST resort, due to the dust that gets into the phone to cause other problems.

SILICA GEL PACKS

You know those little packs you get in those new shoe boxes, vitamins and other products that could get damp?  Save them.  Have a jar or baggie just for those silica gel packs, they can save your phone's life.

Steps to Take 

Step 1 - After rescue from water, TURN OFF YOUR PHONE!!.. try to resist poking around to see how it is.

Step 2 - Dry off as much water as you can with clean cloth, paper towel, or whatever you have handy at the moment, until you get home.

Step 3 - Take it out of it's case if you have one, and open the phone and take the sim card out, and lay everything out on a clean absorbent surface when you get home or back to the office.

Step 4 - Place silica gel packs into a bowl and then place your phone gently in the packs so they can get to work absorbing moisture which is exactly what they are designed for.

Step 5 - Leave you sim card to air dry.

Step 6 - Leave your phone for at least 24 hours, try to resist poking at it.

Step 7 - After 24 hours and frantically using a friend's cell phone to call your frequent contacts and family so they no you are not dead and are safe since you didn't answer them... put your phone back together.

Step 8 - Turn it on with fingers crossed.

So far so good!

Someone needs to invent waterproof cell phones, they would make a fortune!!