Questions tagged [potatoes]
Questions about selecting, identifying, storing, preparing, replacing or cooking with potato (aka potatoes or spuds) as an ingredient. Questions about dishes which include potato, but are not focused on potatoes, should not use this tag.
336
questions
106
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10
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Is it safe to eat potatoes that have sprouted?
I'm talking about potatoes that have gone somewhat soft and put out shoots about 10cm long.
Other online discussions suggest it's reasonably safe and the majority of us have been peeling and eating ...
35
votes
8
answers
61k
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The secret to hash browns / home fries / breakfast potatoes
I have never been successful in making pan-fried potatoes àla the American diner.
It seems like such a simple concept, but they never turn out right! Usually undercooked & oily, with some parts ...
33
votes
5
answers
30k
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Why would you place potatoes on salt when baking in the oven?
Several of my recipe books call for baking potatoes on a layer of (rock) salt, e.g. I'm currently following one for gnocchi that has this very instruction.
Searching yields many recipes, but I can't ...
26
votes
4
answers
4k
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Potato for a purpose
I noticed that my super market sells packaged potatoes for different purposes, for example they sell:
potatoes for a salad
potatoes for baking
potatoes for frying etc..
They all look pretty similar ...
25
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6
answers
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When boiling potatoes, should I put them in with the cold water or in to the hot?
I've heard both. What's the correct way to boil a potato? Why?
22
votes
5
answers
6k
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What is the best way to store potatoes?
We have a bumper potato crop.
Considering that we want to keep them as long as possible because we can’t use them all in a short time, what’s best for storage?
21
votes
2
answers
9k
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Why is there potato in meatballs?
Living in Sweden I do eat meatballs almost everyday. What I've noticed is that most ready-to-eat meatballs you can buy in the store contains potato, potato flakes and potato starch. I'd never even ...
20
votes
6
answers
11k
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I want my potatoes to be baked within an hour, but I forgot to preheat the oven. Should I put them in while preheating or not?
I forgot to preheat the oven while prepping my potatoes to be baked. Dinnertime is one hour away. I put them in anyway and turned on the oven. My spouse says I should not put them in yet because ...
20
votes
3
answers
7k
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Can you shred raw potatoes to make mashed potatoes?
When cooking sous vide, will shredding the potatoes, instead of cubing them, work just as well or could it have unintentional consequences?
Context:
I am trying to improve my mashed potato recipe to ...
20
votes
3
answers
2k
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How can I make McDonald's type French Fries
I have eaten french fries from most popular fast food joints. McDonald's has been the best by far.
Crisp & crunchy on the outside yet moist inside, still maintaining the potato taste. Also it ...
20
votes
5
answers
24k
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What varieties of potato would be good for chips / french fries?
What varieties of potato would be good for making chips / french fries that can be cooked in a deep fryer to give a nice golden crunch on the outside, but still be nice and fluffy in the middle?
20
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3
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Charles Darwin high altitude cooking of potatoes
I just read about Charles Darwin's attempt to boil potatoes while at high altitudes.
In The Voyage of the Beagle you can read:
Having crossed the Peuquenes [Piuquenes], we descended into a ...
17
votes
4
answers
4k
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How could I make stuffed french fries?
I had an idea a while back to make stuffed french fries. I was thinking specifically about a cheesy, thick, french onion soup sort of a thing inside a crispy french fry (not a steak fry). I can't ...
17
votes
2
answers
3k
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What's the science behind making German potato dumplings (Knödel) fluffy but not fall apart?
First off, I'm German, so you would think I know, but it seems traditional cuisine has not been passed down my family tree.
This question really consists of two parts:
What makes potatos dough (or ...
16
votes
8
answers
57k
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Do I have to peel red potatoes before baking them?
I recently made some potato wedges in the oven. I shared this recipe with my relative, who admonished me for not properly peeling the red potatoes before baking them.
She claims that there are ...
16
votes
3
answers
69k
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Are Green Potatoes OK?
Sometimes when peeling a potato, I find that areas of it are a bright shade of green. Does this mean that:
A) The potato is OK to eat?
B) The potato is OK to eat, as long as the green parts are ...
16
votes
3
answers
4k
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When does parboiling "begin"?
I had a recipe for roast potatoes that states to parboil for 5 minutes before putting in the roasting tin.
Unfortunately I don't have the recipe still with me for reference but this is a general ...
15
votes
12
answers
249k
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How to dry out mash - added too much milk
I was just making some mashed potatoes and slipped when adding milk, adding probably 50% too much.
The mash is now very liquid. Whats the best way of saving it?
I am thinking of either heating ...
15
votes
3
answers
11k
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What's the best way to store potatoes and maximize their shelf-life?
What's the best place and way to store potatoes so they keep fresh longest?
15
votes
6
answers
32k
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What is the fastest/easiest way to prepare potatoes for mashing?
I've always thought that mashed potatoes should be a really simple thing to make. But I find that with all the peeling, quartering, boiling, not to mention the incredibly messy cleanup, it's actually ...
14
votes
8
answers
48k
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Why add salt to potato water?
I add salt to pasta water in order to reduce the stickiness caused by starch. However, I've never seen potatoes stick together. Why add salt?
14
votes
3
answers
19k
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How are Belgian fries different than the average French fries found in North America?
How do Belgian fries differ from the French fries we are accustomed to eat in the US and Canada in such places as McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King and so on? Is it the variety of potato, the ...
13
votes
10
answers
138k
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Which oils or fats make the crispiest roast potatoes?
Which oil or fat is the best option for crispy on the outside fluffy on the inside roast potatoes?
13
votes
5
answers
40k
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Boiling potatoes with vs. without skin
It seems I got me thinking ...
When boiling potatoes in water or a steamer, what, if any, is the effect of peeling the potatoes before vs. after the cooking process?
Does it matter at all whether ...
13
votes
2
answers
7k
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How do I make crispy potato pancakes?
I have made potato pancakes / potato latkes many times and they've come out quite edible. However, they are very soft, sometimes fall apart easily, and have a very soggy feel. Here is approximately ...
13
votes
3
answers
13k
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The secret to Pringles like potatoes
Some context: I'm not a cook, hardly even a good amateur, this considered:
I would like to know if it is possible to, with everyday cooking accessories, make some home-made potatoes that are as ...
12
votes
6
answers
6k
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Technique for peeling boiled potatoes
This recipe calls for boiling Yukon gold potatoes with their skins on, then peeling them. I don't really know why, I just decided to follow it.
I find that I am unable to peel boiled potatoes in any ...
12
votes
7
answers
6k
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How can I make a silky smooth, rich mash?
What are the key factors in making silky smooth (non gluey) mashed potatoes.
What technique has the best results?
12
votes
3
answers
8k
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What's the crud in the pan with potatoes and oil?
Sometimes I make sautéed potatoes. I dice the potatoes into little cubes about 1cm or less to a side, then cook them in a pan with about 1-2Tbsp of hot oil. The result is sort of like little french ...
12
votes
6
answers
4k
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Gnocchi - best fluffy technique
What is the best way to ensure prepared gnocchi is light and fluffy, not lumpy and soggy? I've seen tips saying to use more flour, to use less, to add ricotta cheese, to air dry...
12
votes
1
answer
5k
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Are potato fruits (not "potatoes") edible?
My uncle has a fairly expansive garden and he grows potatoes. He asked a question, that being if they'd ever seen tomatoes growing from their potato plants. I've done some research (and remembered ...
12
votes
4
answers
366k
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How much does a "large" potato weigh?
I have a recipe that calls for "6 large baking potatoes." So the question becomes, what is considered the average size of a large baking potato? I've looked online, but sadly do not have time to ...
12
votes
4
answers
22k
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How to fry Rösti so that it stays together?
I have been trying to prepare rösti a number of times these last few weeks with meager results. I have tried both making fresh rösti from grated potatoes and using vacuumed ready-to-fry rösti from the ...
12
votes
2
answers
13k
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Are potatoes ever used in Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes?
In various Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in the US, all of the dishes seem to be made from a limited selection of ingredients. Although potatoes originated America, I never see potatoes in any of ...
12
votes
4
answers
46k
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Tricks to preserve chips (french fries)?
Since I can remember I've always been crazy about chips (french fries for the Americans). As a result I always make too much when I make them for me. The problem I have and have always had is that ...
11
votes
4
answers
17k
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What's the purpose of nutmeg in mashed potatoes and white sauce?
I've seen lots of recipes that call for a pinch of nutmeg in mashed potatoes and in white sauce. It's not very much and just provides a slight elusive flavour. I do enjoy it, but often don't bother ...
10
votes
4
answers
8k
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Seasoning steamed vegetables (in particular potatoes): advisable?
We're going through a healthy-eating phase at the moment, and this includes eating a fair few steamed vegetables. Unfortunately I find steamed vegetables (especially potatoes) can be painfully dull ...
10
votes
8
answers
15k
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Opening potato bags
I'm not sure how universally this question applies; I live in Canada. When we buy potatoes, they often come in large bags made out of heavy paper. The bags are closed by sewing a string into the top ...
10
votes
2
answers
1k
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How do Blue potatoes differ from Yukon Gold potatoes?
In what ways do Blue potatoes differ from Yukon Golds? (Other than the color.)
Do they have comparable amounts of starch and water?
Do they have a different flavor or texture?
How should I be ...
9
votes
11
answers
16k
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How can I make my fried potatoes not fall apart?
I cut the potatoes up. I boil them for 7 minutes and then I fry them 15 min in some olive oil, but they fall apart quickly.
When I remove the water from the boiling pan after 7 minutes, the potatoes ...
9
votes
3
answers
112k
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What is a good way to cut potatoes into wedges?
I have tried making potato wedges before but can't seem to find a good way of cutting them up. My pieces always seem to be of assorted sizes - so when they cook, the thinner ones burn and the thicker ...
9
votes
3
answers
14k
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How can I cook the perfect potato for a potato salad?
I have never managed to cook the perfect potato when making a potato salad.
The potato tends to either be too mushy or it is too crunchy depending on if I over cook or under cook. I never seem to be ...
9
votes
2
answers
8k
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Did I store these potatoes incorrectly (found a bug inside)?
I have a 3 pound bag of 'Idaho' brand potatoes that I bought a few weeks ago. They all looked good (firm and no sprouts) when I went to get them the other day except for one. This one had a white ...
9
votes
5
answers
2k
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How to roast potatoes in the oven to make them crispy?
What is a good way to roast potatoes in the oven in a way that they get crispy ?
At the moment this is how I do:
I start from raw potatoes (I never got why I have to boil them first).
I put them in ...
9
votes
3
answers
379
views
Making crunchy creamy hash browns
I want to make southern style hash browns (cubed 1/3-1/2 inch potatoes) and I WANT them to be more on the greasy side. This accomplishes that they have crunchy spots but are creamy. I've tried pan ...
9
votes
2
answers
8k
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Botulism from *uncooked* potatoes wrapped in foil?
Recently I've seen uncooked, prewrapped-in-foil potatoes at the store, meant for baking. But I've always read that keeping potatoes wrapped tightly in foil at room temperature is one of the ways that ...
9
votes
1
answer
16k
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What are 'boiling potatoes'?
If a recipe calls for 'boiling potatoes', what variety(ies) is it referring to, and why?
Example Recipes:
Punjabi-Style Cauliflower and Potatoes with Ginger (Aloo Gobi)
Potato and Cauliflower Curry
...
9
votes
5
answers
90k
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How to make crispy/dry potato chips/crisps?
I've tried frying chips a few times, but, even though it's fun and tastes relatively good, they did not turn out like commercial potato chips (such as Lay's). My homemade chips soaked up too much oil, ...
8
votes
8
answers
16k
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Potato in the microwave
My brother in law was telling me the other day that he just sticks whole potatos into the microwave wrapped in wax paper for a quick snack. Is this ok/safe? If you do this, do you have other ...
8
votes
12
answers
10k
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Can I make sourdough starter with raw potatoes?
Looking at different websites I found sourdough starters using potatoes instead of wheat or rye. They all used cooked mashed potatoes.
I wonder if it is possible to just grate raw potatoes or other ...