When it comes to potatoes, you have many choices. You can bake, boil, grill, mash, or fry. You can you red, sweet, or new. The options are endless. But should you choose to boil, I have the tips and techniques for you.
Boiled potatoes are best used for mashing potatoes, ricing, or making potato salad. Boiled potatoes also work well if you are making a soup using potatoes.
Required Ingredients
Required Equipment
Choosing a Potato
The best choice when it comes to boiling potatoes is new potatoes. They have thinner skins. New potatoes are also firmer and boil better than other kinds of potatoes. New potatoes come in both red and white colors. Yukon Gold potatoes or creamer potatoes are other kinds that work well for boiling.
When buying potatoes, look for firm and plump potatoes. These are the best ones for boiling. Stay away from potatoes with blemishes and green spots, and anything that is mushy.
Cleaning the Potatoes
Use a vegetable brush to clean potatoes. Rinse the potatoes well and do not use soap. Cut away any dark or damaged spots of the potato.
Decision Time—To Peel or Not to Peel
Leaving the peels on or taking them off is a personal choice. If you are baking the potatoes after you boil them you may want to leave the skins on. If you are mashing them, either way goes. Use a potato peeler or a sharp knife if you do choose to peel. After you peel the potatoes, place them in a large bowl of cold water until you are ready to cook them. This prevents the potato from becoming discolored. It also keeps the potatoes moist and does not allow them to dry out.
Boiling Time
You can boil whole or cut potatoes. Try to use potatoes or pieces that are similar in size. If your sizes vary too much, they will not cook in the same way and you will have some overcooked and some undercooked potatoes.
Place the potatoes in a large pot and fill with cold water. Add a teaspoon of salt to the water. You can omit the salt if you would rather not use it. Cover the pot. Bring the water to a boil.
Boiling time is determined by size and freshness. Fresh potatoes boil quicker than older potatoes. Smaller potatoes will take ten to fifteen minutes to boil. Medium potatoes will take twenty to twenty-five minuets to boil. Large potatoes will take thirty to thirty-five minutes or more to boil. Watch to make sure your pot does not overflow with water. To check and see if the potatoes are done, carefully remove one from the water. Poke a fork through the potato. If it slides through easily, the potatoes are done. If not, wait a few more minutes and try again.
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