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Hello, dear gourmets! Ok, let’s talk about potatoes, yeah? More specifically, how to cook the perfect potato that makes the creamiest mash or the most delicious buttery side dish.
Now, one might think that this is a subject that needs no treatment. After all, cooking potatoes is a fairly simple task that hardly requires a complicated process, and you could imagine that that’s not the case rocket science here.
On the whole you would be right. Just toss the potatoes in hot salted water, boil them for 10 to 15 minutes and your job is done. However, I like to approach even the simplest of culinary tasks with interesting angles, new perspectives, and unique twists, and that’s the point of this post today – to bring a little extra life to a fairly mundane task.
Believe it or not, there’s something of an understated art about cooking potatoes — at least when you’re trying to strike that tricky balance of creamy goodness and satisfying crunch. As a passionate cook, I’ve experimented with a whole host of different methods over the years and am delighted to bring you this comprehensive guide to beautifully cooked spuds.
I’ll start with the basics, like how long to cook potatoes by default, before moving on to a few additional tips and tricks for delivering plenty Potato Pazazz. So grab your favorite apron and shiniest pan and join me as we add even more love and culinary sophistication to the simple question of how to cook potatoes.
Choose the perfect potatoes:
Of course, not all potatoes are created equal. Before I get into the cooking process, let’s take a moment to talk about choosing the right type of potato, as it can greatly affect the texture and flavor after the potatoes are cooked. Here are some options you might want to consider:
red potatoes
Russet potatoes (sometimes known as Idaho potatoes) are the number one choice when it comes to cooking potatoes for most people who follow my blog. With a high starch content and a wonderfully fluffy texture when cooked, Russet potatoes are perfect for mashing or making crispy roasted potatoes with that delicious combination of crunch and fluffiness. Available almost everywhere, these versatile potatoes are great for absorbing additional flavors, herbs, and cooking juices.
Yukon golden potatoes
Yukon Gold potatoes offer a perfect balance between waxy and starchy varieties, making them an excellent choice for cooking potatoes. With a nice creamy texture and a slightly sweet taste. Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape well after cooking, making them ideal for use in potato salads or dishes where you want the potatoes to remain intact without appearing crumbled and flat.
New potatoes
New potatoes are small, young potatoes that are harvested just in time before they are ripe. They tend to have thin, almost fragile skin and moist, waxy flesh. Cooking new potatoes brings out their natural sweetness and full, tender texture. They’re perfect for simple buttered potatoes or as an addition to rich, hearty stews and soups.
Choose well, dear reader. Whether you’re going for the floury texture of Russet potatoes, the rich creaminess of Yukon Golds, or the delicate sweetness of classic new potatoes, choosing the right potato variety will add subtle differences to the end result. In any case, any of them is suitable for cooking potatoes.
The basics
To begin our potato cooking adventure, let’s cover the basic basics. First, let’s talk about peeling the potatoes. This is actually a point of discussion among novice and seasoned chefs alike. Shakespeare was wrong, don’t you know… The question isn’t like that to be or not to bebut rather to to peel or not to peel!
I can only go into personal preference here, and while some recipes call for leaving the skin on, I believe cooking potatoes without the skin can result in a smoother, more even result. So if you agree with my peel positive philosophy, grab your most trusty peeler and cut those potatoes fast.
Now that our potatoes are peeled, it’s time to bring the water to a boil. Take a sturdy saucepan (preferably one with a thick bottom for even heat distribution) and fill it with enough water to cover the potatoes. Don’t forget to salt the water liberally, as this is the secret to bringing out and bringing out the natural flavors of the potatoes.
I like to use kosher salt, by the way, but the truth is, any salt is fine here. At this point there is no need to complicate things!
cooking time
Ah, the burning question of How long does it take to cook potatoes?? Well, in general it depends on the size of the potatoes I’m using. It usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes for small to medium-sized potatoes to become nice and tender during cooking. To check if my potatoes are properly cooked, I just use a fork. If it slides effortlessly into the potato, your potatoes are perfectly cooked and ready to be turned into something special.
Then simply drain and serve, done! Again, this isn’t rocket science, the basic process of cooking potatoes really is that simple. Now that I’ve got those basics covered, I want to dive into something more interesting, techniques that can take your boiled potatoes to a whole new level.
Penetrating taste
If you want to improve the flavor when cooking potatoes, consider adding chicken broth to the plain water. I always find the broth adds an amazing savory richness that pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Your taste buds will thank you, trust me!
Season with that certain something
Why stick with regular salt when you can add a pinch of kosher salt to your boiling water too? The coarser texture of kosher salt allows for better absorption and distribution of the spices. Your potatoes will be bursting with flavor from just that one simple addition—again, any salt is fine, but kosher certainly seems to work really well for boiled potatoes.
Herbal delight!
I mean, let’s face it, it’s always fun to get a little creative with herbs, don’t you think? Try experimenting with boiling potatoes by adding aromatic herbs like thyme and parsley to the boiling water. They impart an enticing scent to the potatoes that will make your kitchen smell like it’s in a gourmet restaurant and, more importantly, add a special touch to your potatoes.
A garlic infusion
Sometimes I like to add a few cloves to the boiling water, which releases their unique aromatic oils and imparts a subtle yet irresistible garlicky essence to the potatoes. Don’t overdo it though – more than two or three cloves or you risk getting too much garlic essence into the potatoes.
butter love
If you’re a fan of buttery flavors (and let’s be honest, who isn’t), give this technique a try. After you’ve cooked the potatoes, melt some butter in a saucepan and toss the drained potatoes in it. The butter coats the potatoes and adds a luxurious and velvety touch to every bite.
Stay firm but tender
I like to try this trick to keep my boiled potatoes firm but tender. After draining the boiled potatoes, immediately plunge them into ice water. The cold shock stops the cooking process and helps the boiled potatoes retain their consistency. I find this always goes perfectly with potato salads or dishes where you want a unique bite.
Sweet Potato Twist
Let’s not forget the wonderful world of sweet potatoes, which certainly deserves a mention in this blog post. Cooking sweet potatoes is broadly the same as cooking regular potatoes, the only difference is that the cooking time may vary. So be more vigilant in scheduling.
Again, keep an eye on them and use a fork to check if they’re tender. Once cooked, they can be turned into a delicious sweet potato casserole or mashed sweet potatoes. Speaking of which, for a delicious sweet potato casserole, check out this recipe!
Wrap up
And so, dear foodie, there you have it – my personal guide to cooking potatoes, from the basic steps through to the more interesting flavor-enhancing techniques, opening the door to the creamiest mashed potatoes and heart-enriching potato salads.
Incidentally, a personal favorite of mine is this Swiss steak and mashed potatoes recipe, so have a look – your loved ones will thank you, I promise!
Remember, there’s always something delicious to cook at Lauren’s Latest, so stay tuned for more culinary adventures! And as always, be careful with the hot water – but remember to have fun! The journey of cooking should be as delightful as the destination and something as simple as how to cook potatoes is no exception to this rule!
Have fun cooking!