In today’s fast-paced kitchens, speed-scratch ingredients help to ensure that restaurants can continue offering customers’ favorite foods without labor-intensive prep. Here are three reasons why operators may want to take a second look at fresh-dried mashed potatoes and tater appetizers as a smart solution for streamlining the back-of-house while offering customers the high-quality, creative dishes they are craving.

1. Low-Labor, High-Margin

Speed-scratch ingredients, from prepared sauces to pre-cooked proteins and fresh-dried potatoes, significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to craft each meal. Streamline your back-of-house operation with fresh-dried potato ingredients. Quick and easy to make, speed-scratch potatoes are a low-cost, shelf-stable pantry item you can easily keep on hand without sacrificing valuable refrigerator or freezer space. Some brands can even be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, giving kitchen staff the flexibility to prepare for peak traffic and manage fluctuations with less risk of waste. Forget peeling, cutting, boiling, and mashing. By using fresh-dried products, kitchen staff can yield delicious mashed potatoes in just 60 seconds; a fraction of the 25-60 minutes of prep time it takes to create refrigerated, frozen, or scratch mashed potatoes.

2. Homemade Taste

Speed-scratch potatoes offer the natural taste and texture of mashed potatoes and tater appetizers made from scratch while meeting the demands of today’s kitchens. Some products even come lightly buttered and seasoned with real lumps and peels for a true homemade flavor. Look for products that use REAL Certified 100% Idaho Potatoes to ensure you’re getting the best quality and flavor for your dishes.

3. Easy Customization

For operators who can’t afford to stock a diverse set of ingredients, speed-scratch potatoes provide a great canvas for creativity. Mix in leftover ingredients to create a tasty LTO while cutting back on waste, or use as a reliable and cost-friendly ingredient in your menu staples. Fry up fresh-dried tater appetizers with some crab meat to create a crispy summer hors d’oeuvre or mix in blue cheese and hot sauce with fresh-dried mashed potatoes for a tangy side to buffalo chicken wings. The versatility of speed-scratch potato ingredients provides operators with endless flavor combinations during breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a fraction of the time.

For operators looking to offer great-tasting menu items without overextending their resources, convenient speed-scratch ingredients are the perfect solution.

Content courtesy of Idahoan Foodservice