Potatoes are one of the easiest foods to cook, but a few simple tricks can make a big difference. These potato tips and tricks can help you get better results whether you want crispy roast potatoes, creamy mash, golden rösti, or a tasty baked potato. There are also clever ways to use potato skins, make desserts with sweet potatoes, and keep mashed potatoes warm when serving guests.
From choosing the right cooking method to trying classic dishes such as duchess potatoes and gratin, these ideas can make potato preparation easier and more enjoyable. Try these simple kitchen tips to give potatoes a delicious upgrade.
Potato perfection
One of the cheapest, comforting, and flexible ingredients in anyone's arsenal the potato provides unbelievable taste whether it's creamy in mash or crispy in roasties and fries.
Read here to uncover our ultimate tips, tricks, and know-hows that can transform the tasks of prep, peeling, and cooking potatoes into much less of a chore (and quite a bit more of a pleasure).
Make a potato skin snack
If you like your potatoes peeled, then do not throw the peel away. You can boil potato peels and season them with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika before baking them in the oven or air frying them, and then you can serve them up with creamy mayonnaise or ranch dressing.
These peels make for a tasty snack that is also inexpensive. Why not use potato peels to enhance the flavor of homemade stock?
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Customise your baked potatoes
Elevate the classic baked potato by adding protein through the technique of baking an egg inside your spud. When you have about 15 minutes left on your potato, take it out of the oven, cut it in half, scoop out the flesh to create a nice cavity, crack an egg inside, and then return it to the oven for another 15 minutes. Once it’s done, generously chuck in some delicious toppings, whether you choose cheese or some crispy lardons.
Make puddings with potatoes
In particular, sweet potatoes can contribute significantly to some outstanding desserts it sounds strange, we know, but we promise you will truly love these creations.
White potatoes possess excellent moisture-containing qualities and will consistently provide a desirable texture to some thick batters, while orange and purple sweet potatoes add a delightful sweetness and vibrant color to various cakes.
Keep mashed potatoes warm with a bain-marie
If you love to entertain but fear your mash will get cold before you serve dinner, place it in a water bath, known as a bain marie, with its lid securely on, to keep your potatoes hot for hours.
This method acts as the magic bullet for entertaining, ensuring that no one receives cold potatoes and allowing you to accomplish a significant portion of your tasks in advance.
Have a go at duchess potatoes
Duchess potatoes 7/2/2019 - Duchess potatoes, a staple of 1960s food, have been enjoying a serious moment, and you know what? We firmly believe that there will always be a cherished slot on the dinner party circuit for these sophisticated mouthfuls. To prepare these, you should peel, wash, and either roast or boil 4-5 large russet potatoes.
While the potatoes are still hot, push the cooked potatoes through a potato ricer, then stir in an egg yolk, a generous knob of butter, and a grating of nutmeg until you achieve a smooth purée.
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Bake potatoes into bread
Whether you enjoy crispy Irish potato farls or soft yeasted bread bakes, transform our nation’s beloved starch into something truly delicious. You should mash with yeast and strong bread flour to create an award-winning loaf and start baking. Or for a moreish savoury bake that you'll find yourself making time and again, this delightful rosemary and potato focaccia will surely be right up your street.
Try salt-baked potatoes
You know how they bake fish in a salt bed, but do you know how they apply the same technique to the potatoes? When you bake salt in your potatoes underneath, it will not make the potato extra savory. Instead, you will pull water out of the potato, and then, as the potatoes absorb the water and get enveloped in savory steam, they will become silky smooth.
Perfect an easy potato gratin
A fast and tasty potato gratin: Start by taking four medium-waxy potatoes (Charlottes or Jersey Royals would be ideal), peeling them, slicing them thinly, and then layering the slices into a buttered ovenproof dish, salting and peppering each level as you go.
To make the topping, mix together 3 tbsp of melted butter with 3 tbsp of plain flour, heat the mixture until it cooks into a roux, and then slowly whisk in 16fl oz (470ml) of milk until you create a thickened, smooth sauce.
Next, stir in 6oz (180g) of cheese (such as Cheddar), cook the mixture until the cheese is melting, pour the sauce over the layers of potatoes, cover the dish with foil, and bake for about one hour at a medium oven temperature, until the potatoes turn golden and the sauce is bubbling.
Make rösti
You can make rosti really easily at home. First, peel and grate your potato roughly 400g seems to be about the right size potato to get your six rosti and squeeze out as much water as you can. Mix the grated potato with an egg and your preferred seasoning, then divide your potato mix in half to create your six rosti.
Heat up a pan on a high heat with a drizzle of oil, then press one portion of potato onto the pan using the back of the spoon. Cook the rosti for five minutes, then turn it over and fry for another five minutes until it is golden on both sides. Serve the finished dish with your desired accompaniments; I do love crème fraîche and fresh chives with these!
FAQs
1. How can potato skins be used?
Potato skins can be seasoned and baked or air fried to make a crispy snack. They can also add flavour to homemade stock.
2. How can mashed potatoes be kept warm?
Place covered mashed potatoes in a bain-marie or gentle water bath to help keep them warm before serving.
3. Which potatoes are good for gratin?
Waxy potatoes, such as Charlotte or Jersey Royal varieties, work well for potato gratin because they hold their shape during cooking.
4. How do you make crispy rösti?
Grate the potatoes, squeeze out excess water, season them and fry in a hot pan until golden and crisp on both sides.
5. Can potatoes be used in desserts?
Yes. Sweet potatoes can add moisture, sweetness and colour to cakes and other desserts, while white potatoes can also improve the texture of some batters.
