Potatoes have become a beloved and versatile staple in kitchens all over the world. The humble potato can be transformed to make a wide variety of delicious dishes. Not all potatoes, however, are created equally. Various varieties of potatoes have distinct textures and flavors which makes them suitable for specific culinary purposes. In this guide we will discuss how to cook potatoes and different types of potatoes and their most suitable uses.
Russet Potatoes
Characteristics:
Appearance: Large. Brown skin with white flesh.
Texture: Starchy with a fluffy texture after cooking
Best use: These russet potatoes are excellent for frying, baking, and mashing. Because of their high starch contents, they are ideal for making fluffy French fries and mashed potatoes. Their light and airy texture makes them perfect for classic baked mashed potatoes.
How Do You Cook?
- Baked Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 425degF. Scrub your potatoes, pierce each one with a skewer, and bake them on the rack in the oven for approximately 50-60 minutes or until tender.
- Mashed Potatoes: Peeling and cutting the potatoes into pieces. Boil until tender in salted-water, then mash until smooth with butter.
- French-Fries: Cut up into strips. Soak in cold water. Dry completely. Then, fry in hot 375degF oil until golden.
- Yukon Gold Potatoes
Characteristics:
- Appearance: Medium Size, with smooth, thin, yellow skin and yellow flesh.
- Texture: Soft, waxy, and slightly creamy.
Best use: Yukon Gold potatoes can be used for boiling, roasting or making potato salads. Their creamy texture makes them perfect for gratins, soups, and even roasted potatoes.
How Do You Cook?
- Grilled Potatoes: Cut into wedges. Toss with oil, salt, and herbs. Roast at 400degF between 30-35 minutes, until golden.
- Potato salad: Cook whole potatoes until tender. Chop, and then mix with your favorite salad ingredients and dress.
- Gratin: Thinly layer the cream with cheese in an oven dish. Bake at 350degF between 45-50mins until golden and bubbly.
- Red Potatoes
Characteristics:
- Appearance: Small and medium with smooth, red skin.
- Texture: Waxy or firm.
Best use: For boiling, roasting, or grilling. Their waxy surface makes them popular in stews and salads.
How Do You Cook?
- Boiled potato: In salted water, boil whole or halved potato until tender. Add butter and parsley to serve.
- Grilled Potatoes: Slice them thick, brush on olive oil, seasonings, or other ingredients, then grill until the potatoes are soft and charred.
- Stews: Add them to soups or stews. Allow them to simmer until fully cooked.
- Fingerling Potatoes
Characteristics:
- Appearance: Small-sized, knobby, and elongated with a variety of skin colors, including yellow, red, and purple.
- Texture Waxy or firm.
Best use: They are perfect for roasting potatoes and salads. Their firm texture and distinctive shape add flavor and appeal to many dishes.
How Do You Cook?
- A Roasted Fingerling: Toss your fingerlings, add some olive oil, garlic, and rosemary, and roast at 425degF at a low temperature for 20-25minutes or until tender.
- Recipes for Salads: Steam the vegetables until they are tender. Then, slice them and mix with herbs, vinaigrette and other ingredients.
- Purple Potatoes
Characteristics:
- Appearance: Small and medium with deep purple flesh.
- Texture: Waxy or firm.
Best use: Use purple potatoes for roasting, cooking, or adding color to your dishes. Purple potatoes retain their vibrant colors even after they are cooked, making them an eye-catching choice.
How Do You Cook?
- Roasted potato: Toss your potatoes with olive and pepper oil, then roast at 400degF (about 30 to 35 mins).
- Baked Chips Slice thinly on a sheet of baking paper, then bake at 375degF until crispy.
- Salad de pommes: Boil the potatoes, and then mix in other colorful veggies for a vibrantly colored salad.
- New Potatoes
Characteristics:
- Appearance: Small creatures with thin skin that can vary in color (usually white-yellow)
- Texture: Waxy.
Best use: new potatoes work well for steaming or boiling. Their tender skin makes them ideal in dishes where potatoes are used whole or cut into halves.
How Do You Cook?
- Boiled new potatoes: Bring to a boil in salted boiled water and cook until the potatoes are soft. Add butter and fresh herbs.
- Scalloped Potatoes: Cook until potatoes are tender. Drizzle with olive and sea salt.
- Roasted potatoes: Toss in olive oil, rosemary, garlic, and garlic powder, then roast for 25-30 minutes at 400degF.
Conclusion
Creating delicious dishes can be enhanced by understanding how to prepare potatoes. Each variety of potato has a different texture and flavor. This makes it important to select the best one for your particular dish. Understanding the differences between each type of potato will allow you to get the most from this versatile vegetable. Explore the variety of potatoes and discover how you enjoy them.
