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During the 18th century, Potatoes were served as dessert, hot, salted and wrapped in a napkin. Thomas Jefferson gets the credit for introducing the French Fry to the American people as he served them in the White House. A hotly disputed topic, the actual origin of the French fry is not France but Belgium! Click here and here to read more fun facts about Potatoes. To learn more about Potatoes click here.
The Potato is another crop that is safest for consumption when organic. The Environmental Working Group lists the potato as the 12th most pesticide laden produce. Conventionally grown potatoes have one of the highest pesticide contents of all fruits and vegetables. In 2006, the USDA found that all 81 % of Potatoes tested contained pesticides even after being washed and peeled! Michael Pollan in a interview about his books said "I visited an industrial potato farm in Idaho and saw how freely pesticides were used. The farmers had little patches of potatoes by their house that were organic. They couldn't eat their field potatoes out of the ground because they had so many systemic pesticides. They had to be stored for six months to off-gas the toxins."
Potatoes should be kept in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. If you choose to store potatoes in a bag for more than a couple days make sure there is plenty of ventilation and that the bag isn't sealed. It is recommended to store potatoes separately from onions because when they are stored together they produce gases that will spoil them both. Fingerling potatoes can be refrigerated, other varieties should not be stored in the fridge. Use fingerlings as quickly as possible for the best flavor. For more tips on how to keep Potatoes for longer storage click here.
To Nourish
Potatoes are high in Vitamin B6, Potassium (they have more than bananas!), Copper, Vitamin C and Manganese. If you take away the extra fat of deep frying and restrain from adding fatty foods like butter, sour cream and cheese to name a few; a baked Potato is a healthy low calorie and fiber rich food choice. Leave the potato skin on when cooking, it not only adds fiber and nutrients, but it also helps the flesh of the potato retain its nutrients. Potatoes have been proven to lower blood pressure. The Vitamin B6 in Potatoes contributes to building new red blood cells, maintaining nervous system activity, protecting the cardiovascular system and enhancing athletic performance. Click here to read more about the health benefits of Potatoes.
To Prepare
Potatoes are extremely versatile as to cooking methods that apply. They can be boiled, sauteed, fried, roasted, grilled, mashed, pureed, baked and the list goes on. Click here and here for basic knife cuts that are taught in Culinary Schools and that will guide you in different ways to cut and use your Potatoes. Check out this Fine Cooking article to learn how to pick the best potato for your end use. Southern Food has some great tips on cooking Potatoes and check out this Huffington Post article on the best ways Potatoes can be prepared. Check out What's Cooking America for the perfect baked potato.
To Try
Sweet Potato Biscuits
Spanish Omelette (Tortilla de Papata)
15 Potato Salad Recipes
Nicoise Salad with Grilled Tuna and Potatoes
Potato Leek Soup
Chicken Broth with Potato Dumplings (Klotski)
Corn and Potato Chowder
Classic Lyonnaise Potatoes
Classic Potato Gratin
Poblano Potato Gratin
Twice Cooked French Fries
Oven Baked Homemade Rosemary Potato Chips
Best Mashed Potatoes
Fried Smashed Potatoes with Lemon
Smashed Red Potatoes with Boursin and Scallions
Sweet Potato Puree with Smoked Paprika
Kale and Potato Puree
Cauliflower and Potatoes (Aloo Gobi)
Carrot, Fingerling Potato and Pea Ragout
Potato Latkes
Potato Latkes with Sour Cream and Beet Relish
Easy Mashed Potato Pancakes
Patatas Brava - Home Fries with Roasted Tomato Aioli
Mustard Roasted Potatoes
Grilled Herb Potatoes
Potato and Onion Tart
Potato Gnocchi
Asparagus and Potato Frittata
Winter Vegetable Curry
Sweet Potato and Pinto Bean Enchiladas
Springtime Pot-au-Feu
Lamb Cutlets with Mint Chili Potatoes
Braised Chicken and Potatoes with Tarragon
To Use
Life in the kitchen is easier when you use the right tool for the task. The Williams-Sonoma Open Kitchen Stainless-Steel Potato Masher is a sturdy tool that has a zigzagged wire head. It is great for mashing all your favorite root vegetables—from potatoes to carrots and parsnips. (Williams-Sonoma, $15)
The Potato is another crop that is safest for consumption when organic. The Environmental Working Group lists the potato as the 12th most pesticide laden produce. Conventionally grown potatoes have one of the highest pesticide contents of all fruits and vegetables. In 2006, the USDA found that all 81 % of Potatoes tested contained pesticides even after being washed and peeled! Michael Pollan in a interview about his books said "I visited an industrial potato farm in Idaho and saw how freely pesticides were used. The farmers had little patches of potatoes by their house that were organic. They couldn't eat their field potatoes out of the ground because they had so many systemic pesticides. They had to be stored for six months to off-gas the toxins."
To Store
Potatoes should be kept in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. If you choose to store potatoes in a bag for more than a couple days make sure there is plenty of ventilation and that the bag isn't sealed. It is recommended to store potatoes separately from onions because when they are stored together they produce gases that will spoil them both. Fingerling potatoes can be refrigerated, other varieties should not be stored in the fridge. Use fingerlings as quickly as possible for the best flavor. For more tips on how to keep Potatoes for longer storage click here.
To Nourish
Potatoes are high in Vitamin B6, Potassium (they have more than bananas!), Copper, Vitamin C and Manganese. If you take away the extra fat of deep frying and restrain from adding fatty foods like butter, sour cream and cheese to name a few; a baked Potato is a healthy low calorie and fiber rich food choice. Leave the potato skin on when cooking, it not only adds fiber and nutrients, but it also helps the flesh of the potato retain its nutrients. Potatoes have been proven to lower blood pressure. The Vitamin B6 in Potatoes contributes to building new red blood cells, maintaining nervous system activity, protecting the cardiovascular system and enhancing athletic performance. Click here to read more about the health benefits of Potatoes.
To Prepare
Potatoes are extremely versatile as to cooking methods that apply. They can be boiled, sauteed, fried, roasted, grilled, mashed, pureed, baked and the list goes on. Click here and here for basic knife cuts that are taught in Culinary Schools and that will guide you in different ways to cut and use your Potatoes. Check out this Fine Cooking article to learn how to pick the best potato for your end use. Southern Food has some great tips on cooking Potatoes and check out this Huffington Post article on the best ways Potatoes can be prepared. Check out What's Cooking America for the perfect baked potato.
To Try
Sweet Potato Biscuits
Spanish Omelette (Tortilla de Papata)
15 Potato Salad Recipes
Nicoise Salad with Grilled Tuna and Potatoes
Potato Leek Soup
Chicken Broth with Potato Dumplings (Klotski)
Corn and Potato Chowder
Classic Lyonnaise Potatoes
Classic Potato Gratin
Poblano Potato Gratin
Twice Cooked French Fries
Oven Baked Homemade Rosemary Potato Chips
Best Mashed Potatoes
Fried Smashed Potatoes with Lemon
Smashed Red Potatoes with Boursin and Scallions
Sweet Potato Puree with Smoked Paprika
Kale and Potato Puree
Cauliflower and Potatoes (Aloo Gobi)
Carrot, Fingerling Potato and Pea Ragout
Potato Latkes
Potato Latkes with Sour Cream and Beet Relish
Easy Mashed Potato Pancakes
Patatas Brava - Home Fries with Roasted Tomato Aioli
Mustard Roasted Potatoes
Grilled Herb Potatoes
Potato and Onion Tart
Potato Gnocchi
Asparagus and Potato Frittata
Winter Vegetable Curry
Sweet Potato and Pinto Bean Enchiladas
Springtime Pot-au-Feu
Lamb Cutlets with Mint Chili Potatoes
Braised Chicken and Potatoes with Tarragon
To Use
Life in the kitchen is easier when you use the right tool for the task. The Williams-Sonoma Open Kitchen Stainless-Steel Potato Masher is a sturdy tool that has a zigzagged wire head. It is great for mashing all your favorite root vegetables—from potatoes to carrots and parsnips. (Williams-Sonoma, $15)