Most of us love to snack on mashed potatoes, especially the recipes in which cream or butter has been added. There are two ways to make them, either you can use fresh potatoes, boil, peel, and finally mash them. Or, if you want to save your time and effort, you can go in for the various brands of instant mashed potatoes, that are available in the market today. Here's a little information on them, followed by a delicious recipe. The instant variety comes in the form of flakes, to which milk or hot water has to be added, to get a closer version of the naturally prepared recipe. This convenience food is created through an industrial process, which involves, cooking, followed by mashing, and finally drying. The ingredients include potato flakes, which are added to mono and diglycerides - taken from the vegetable oils, as well as citric acid. Calories and Nutrition Most of the branded varieties that are available in the market today, have calories in the range of 80-180 per serving, where one serving is approximately 30 grams. The basic ones have fewer calories, and the ones flavored with butter and herbs contain higher calories. They are very similar to the freshly mashed ones prepared at home, when it comes to their nutritional value. They too contain dietary fiber, proteins, carbohydrates, and certain vitamins, although, in smaller quantities compared to the ones prepared naturally. The only difference being the lack of vitamin C in the instant ones, in comparison to the fresh variety. Recipe The instant variety can taste as good as the fresh one, provided they are cooked properly. Here is a scrumptious recipe with cream cheese. Ingredients Required

• Instant Flake Mix, 4 cups
• Cream Cheese, 6 oz.
• Green Onions (chopped), 2 tbsp.
• Butter, ½ tbsp.
• Parsley, 1 tbsp.
• Oregano, 1 tbsp.

Method Read the instructions on the pack and prepare them accordingly. The only difference being, use cream cheese instead of butter, as is generally mentioned on the pack. Add chopped onions and parsley to the mixture of potatoes and cream cheese. Now take a baking dish and put the mixture in it. Pour butter and parsley over this mixture. Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes at 400º F. After it gets cooked properly, sprinkle oregano on top and serve. Cooking the instant variety is a good way to save time and effort. Though its taste and nutrition does not match with the fresh one, yet it is very convenient and easy to prepare, making it an ideal last minute food.