Tips for buying potatoes
The potato, also called Potato or Ground pear known, has to be labeled according to the cooking properties mentioned in the trade (regardless of whether online or in bulk), as the trade class regulation wants.
The cook types are uniform by means of colored stripe marked on the packaging:
- blue for floury potatoes
- red for mainly waxy potatoes
- green for waxy potatoes
When buying, you should pay attention to good quality:
- fresh potatoes have a slightly earthy smell
- the tubers should be clean and dry
- fresh potatoes convince with a firm consistency
- the color should be evenly yellow-brown
The different types of potatoes and their uses
Waxy potatoes
Properties:
These have a firm consistency and do not burst when cooked.
Use:
Predominantly waxy potatoes
Properties:
They are not quite as firm in structure as waxy potatoes.
Use:
Floury potatoes
Properties:
These contain the greatest amount of starch and burst heavily when cooked.
Use:
Proper preparation
The potatoes before cooking wash and clean thoroughly (preferably with a brush) and any Carefully remove green spots and germs. Because they contain the heat-resistant natural poison solanine.
Therefore, always pour off the cooking water from potatoes and do not use them again, because solanine is water-soluble.
Boil potatoes properly
Put the prepared potatoes in a saucepan and so much water add so that the potatoes are covered with it. Then approx. 1 tablespoon of salt add and bring the potatoes to the boil with the lid closed. As soon as the water boils, reduce the heat.
How long do the potatoes have to cook?
As soon as the water boils, add the potatoes depending on size for 15-25 Minutes let it boil. Then switch off the stove and let the potatoes cook in hot water for a good 5 minutes. Then just pour it off.
Tip: A small piece of butter prevents it from boiling over.
Tip: Ideally, the potatoes are all about the same size if possible, otherwise the small ones will disintegrate while the large ones are not yet cooked. If necessary, halve or third larger specimens accordingly.
Prepare baked potatoes
For baked potatoes, first preheat the oven to 220 degrees (top and bottom heat).
Brush the washed and dabbed dry potatoes with a little oil, season with salt, garlic or herbs as desired and wrap in aluminum foil.
How long do potatoes have to stay in the oven?
Put the potatoes in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes to bake.
How to cook potatoes in the microwave
If you only want to cook a small number of potatoes, this method is one quick alternative to the conventional cooking method on the stove.
Wash the potatoes clean, then place them in a suitable microwave container, cover and leave the tubers for approx. 10 minutes at 600 watts ferment. After cooking, salt or season the potatoes.
How do you cook potatoes in a steamer?
To do this, peel the washed potatoes, then place them in a steamer with holes and steam at 100 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
How do you cook potatoes in a pressure cooker?
This method saves water and energy and potatoes can be cooked quickly.
To do this, first place the sieve insert in the saucepan, then add the washed potatoes, add 250 ml of water, close the saucepan and cook for about 8 minutes on cooking level 1. Then let the potatoes evaporate, rinse with water and peel.
Cooking potatoes: questions and answers
When is the potato done?
The always shows whether the potatoes are done Knife test: If the potato falls from the pierced knife, it is done.
Cooking potatoes with or without the peel?
The potatoes are best recommended to cook with the peelbecause many important nutrients are right under the peel. However, as described above, these should then be washed thoroughly and the green area removed.
How much salt in the potatoes?
Depending on the amount of the cooking water 1-2 tablespoons of salt Add.
Can you overcook potatoes?
If the potatoes are cooked too long, they will crumble.
One way to save overcooked potatoes is to prepare mashed potatoes from them. To do this, simply drain the peeled and boiled potatoes and let them dry for a few minutes in a saucepan over low heat. Then add milk, butter and possibly a little salt and pepper and stir well.
How many potatoes for one person?
The following portion sizes should be planned for each person:
- As the main ingredient: 180-250 grams
- As a side dish: 150-200 grams
- Mashed potatoes: 130-150 grams
- French fries: 110-150 grams
Re-use of the healthy tuber
Jacket potatoes
Jacket potatoes are put off briefly so that they can be peeled more easily. They are usually served with butter or herb quark.
Salt potatoes
Boiled potatoes are usually a filling side dish and are then used to hold sauces or roast stocks.
Salads
If the potatoes are to be cut for salad, they should first cool down well.
Puree, dumpling dough and co
Potatoes are processed hot or warm, for example when they are used to make puree (also called mashed potatoes) or when they have to be pressed through the potato press for potato dumpling dough.
Our recipe tips:
Sweet potatoes in trend
More and more often you can find sweet potatoes, also called potatoes, here. These are tubers that taste similar to potatoes, only slightly sweet.
They are usually floury and, depending on the variety, have a yellowish, orange or even purple color. However, from a botanical point of view, they are not related to potatoes. But they are prepared in the same way.
Our recipe tips:
