Potatoes are among the most easily prepared and less expensive vegetables you can cook conveniently in your kitchen. In fact, it may as well be the most popular vegetable used in the kitchen. It is the most useful vegetable that can be dressed in many ways each day. Just take note of the varieties of potatoes you’ll see in the supermarket as there are tons of types of potatoes to choose from. Some are specifically great for certain dishes. Let’s learn how to cook potatoes with this simple guide.
When learning how to cook potatoes, choosing them is as important. Remember to purchase potatoes that are free from blemishes and at the same time fresh. It’s best to buy potatoes in the mould. Make sure your potatoes aren’t wetted until cleaned. It’s best to keep them covered in mats, sands, or heaps to protect them from air and frost as these two speeds up rotting. Now, let’s learn how to cook potatoes in various ways.
Potatoes in a saucepan
- Boiling potatoes is a common way to cook them. Make sure that before you boil them, you have washed your potatoes well. It’s also best not to cut or pare your potatoes if you are boiling them. In such case, it would be best to go for smaller potatoes if you are boiling them. Otherwise, you’ll have to cut only if the potatoes are very large. Place your rinsed potatoes in a pot and fill them with cold water to cover them up to an inch above the potatoes. Don’t pour too much water. This amount of water is enough to boil them quickly and allow them to be more savory. Too little water will also spoil it. As soon as it boils, lower the heat to simmer it slowly until you can pierce the potatoes with a fork. Once done, drain them right away or else the water will cause your potatoes to be waxy and watery. Uncover the pan and let it sit for few minutes for moisture to evaporate. This will make your potatoes perfectly dry and mealy. If you’re not using it right away, cover the pot with a napkin. Cooking times differ depending on the type of potato, the size, and the number of potatoes you are boiling at the same time.
- Another popular way to cook your potatoes is to fry them. If you love French fries, then you better try this. Simply slice your potatoes into strips and sprinkle with some salt and pepper if you like. In a frying pan, put some oil or clean dripping. As soon as it melts or is heated, add in the potatoes and stir them constantly until they are ready. Serve right away.
These two are just two simple ways to cook potatoes. Remember you can add them to your soups, stews, stir-fries, and even make great side dishes like mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, or baked potatoes among hundreds of others.