Top potato tips, tricks and recipes!

August 19, 2019
by Anna Eat

    In honour of National Potato Day, we shed light on the humble potato. The versatile root veggie is a much-loved staple in many households, and can be roasted, boiled or mashed. You may eat yours in the form of gratin, hash browns or potato salad, or be among the many that enjoy a bowl of wedges, crisps or sweet potato fries. 

    Though sometimes disparaged in terms of nutrition, potatoes are actually a good source of carbohydrates and dietary fibre. They also provide vitamins C and B6, and contain more potassium than a banana! Though the skin contains about half of the vegetable’s total dietary fibre, the majority of nutrients are found within the potato itself. 

    Did you know…

    • The word potato is derived from the Spanish word ‘patata’. 
    • The Incas were the first people to cultivate potatoes, roughly around 8,000 BC to 5,000 BC. 
    • Potatoes are the fourth most important crop on Earth after rice, corn and wheat. The global harvest exceeds 300 million metric tonnes per year. In fact, in 2018 alone, HelloFresh shipped over 24.7 million orders of potatoes worldwide! 
    • In 1995, potato plants were taken into space with the space shuttle Columbia. This marked the first time any food was ever grown in space. 
    • Sweet potato belongs in the morning glory family, while white potatoes are part of the nightshade family alongside tomatoes, eggplants and chili peppers.

    Tater tips!

    • Have you ever over-salted a sauce or soup? Save the dish by adding a clean, peeled potato to the mix. Simply simmer the combo for 15 minutes, and the potato will absorb some of the excess sodium.
    • You’ll know a potato is cooked when you can easily pierce it with a knife. 
    • For a flavourful mash, try adding herbs and cheese. Alternatively, to make your mash extra creamy, swap milk out for cream, sour cream or yoghurt.
    • Elevate your roast potatoes with these tasty toppings: garlic and rosemary, olive oil and sweet paprika, chives and sour cream or bacon and parmesan. Delish!
    • Don’t wash your potatoes before storing, as this will speed up decay!

    Finding the perfect potato

    When shopping for potatoes, it’s important to match your potato to the meal you’re making. 

    • Floury potatoes are best for baking, mashing, frying, roasting and making potato chips. The best varieties for this are Coliban and King Edward. 
    • Waxy potatoes, on the other hand, are high in moisture and low in starch. They retain their shape throughout boiling, making them excellent for salads, soups and casseroles. The best varieties for this are Bintje, Dutch Cream, Nadine, Nicole, Kipfler and Pink Eye.
    • All-rounder potatoes can be used for just about everything and include the trusty Desiree, Golden Delight, Pontiac, Royal Blue and Sebago. 

    Some of our favourite recipes!

    At HelloFresh, we love to incorporate potato into our recipes. Check out some of our most mouth-watering dishes below:

    Premium Fillet Steak & Chive Mashed Potato

    Lemon Pepper Pork Schnitzels with Creamy Potato Salad

    Cheesy Baked Potato & Smokey Cannellini Bean Chilli

    Haloumi & Chargrilled Capsicum Burger with Potato Wedges

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    1 comment

    Megan says:

    I can’t get onto the Christmas box link. Is there a reason why