Let’s learn how to boil potatoes with this trick article. Nobody can deny the wonders of potatoes. It is not only the most versatile vegetable, but it is also the best comfort food. They are the most common and popular ingredient in Indian cuisine due to their year-round availability and low cost. Because of its versatility, each Indian state has its favorite potato dish. Boiled potatoes are lighter and mushier than fried potatoes, making them ideal for snacks, salads, breakfast, and main-course dishes.

Potatoes are a storehouse of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, potassium, phosphorus. They are also gluten-free, hence, anyone can have them! Boiled potatoes have a majority of their nutritional value preserved. They have less starch, less fat, and lots of fiber and hence they are healthy for children. Because of a low-calorie count, people can add boiled potatoes to their diets in a moderate amount. Garnish the boiled potatoes with herbs and seasonings for a low-calorie dish.

BUYING GUIDE FOR POTATOES: HOW TO SELECT THE BEST POTATOES

There are three types of potatoes: high-starch potatoes, medium-starch potatoes, and low-starch potatoes.

•     Potatoes high in starch: Russets are the most common mild-flavored high starched potatoes. They are oblong and thick-skinned due to which they cook fluffy and light, crumbling as they cook, and are a great option for mashing. Because of their light, mealy texture, they make the best-baked potatoes.
•     Medium Starch Potatoes: Round, white and yellow potatoes are medium starched. They are considered the best all-purpose potatoes as they are the most common and can be found easily in markets. Because of their highly adaptive nature, they can be made into almost any dish.
•     Low Starch Potatoes: When cooked, low-starch potatoes have a waxy texture and hold their shape well. As a result, they’re excellent for boiling potatoes for salads, soups, and stews. Low-starch potatoes include round red potatoes, new potatoes, and fingerling potatoes.

4 WAYS TO BOIL POTATOES: 

Potatoes being a wonder food, can be boiled in different ways. Here are 4 easy ways to boil and savor potatoes and also keep their nutrients intact.

Stovetop Boiling Potatoes: This is the most traditional and straightforward method for boiling potatoes.

•     Prepare the potatoes. Wash the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Depending on what you’re making, you can also cut your potatoes into smaller pieces. Depending on your preferences, you can either leave the skin on or peel it off. Some claim that leaving the skin on helps them keep their shape while boiling.
•     Submerge in water. Cover the potatoes with an inch of cold water or broth in a saucepan. 12 teaspoon salt should be added.
•     Simmer the potatoes. Take a pan of water. Bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Cover the pan with a lid and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender. For small potatoes, keep them for about 10-15 minutes and 20-25 minutes for large potatoes.
•     Drain and let cool. In a colander, drain the potatoes. Submerge potatoes in an ice bath to quickly cool them for recipes that call for cooled potatoes.

Microwaving potatoes:

This quick-cooking method is best reserved for small batches of potatoes.

•     Prepare the potatoes. Wash the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Depending on what you’re making, you can also cut your potatoes into smaller pieces. Depending on your preferences, you can either leave the skin on or peel it off. Some claim that leaving the skin on helps them keep their shape while boiling.
•     Cover potatoes and set aside. Put the potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the potatoes with 1 inch of water and season with salt. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke holes in it to allow air to circulate.
•     Microwave. Microwave for 5 minutes on high. Check for completion. Cook for an additional five minutes, or until done.
•     Drain and let cool. In a colander, drain the potatoes. Submerge potatoes in an ice bath to quickly cool them for recipes that call for cooled potatoes.

Boiling potatoes in a slow cooker:

While the potatoes aren’t technically boiled, you’ll get the same tender results with this hands-off method.

• Prepare the potatoes. Wash the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Depending on what you’re making, you can also cut your potatoes into smaller pieces. Depending on your preferences, you can either leave the skin on or peel it off. Some claim that leaving the skin on helps them keep their shape while boiling.
• Cover and transfer. Put the potatoes in the slow cooker. Cover the potatoes with an inch thick layer of water or broth
• Cook on low heat. Cook the potatoes for 6 to 8 hours on low heat, or until fork-tender.
• Drain and let cool. In a colander, drain the potatoes. Submerge potatoes in water to quickly cool them for recipes that call for cooled potatoes.

How to Boil Potatoes in the Instant Pot:

The Instant Pot combines the hands-off approach of a slow cooker with the cooking time of a stovetop method.

• Prepare the potatoes. Wash the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Depending on what you’re making, you can also cut your potatoes into smaller pieces. Depending on your preferences, you can either leave the skin on or peel it off. Some claim that leaving the skin on helps them keep their shape while boiling.
• Place on a trivet and pour in the water. Insert the trivet into the inner pot. Place potatoes on top. Pour one cup of water or broth as per choice.
• Cook under pressure. Cook with the lid closed and the valve in the sealing position in the Instant Pot. Cook the potatoes until tender with steam. Cook them for 5 minutes for small potatoes and 10 minutes for larger potatoes.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool. Allow the pressure to naturally dissipate. Remove the potatoes by opening the lid. Submerge potatoes in an ice bath to quickly cool them for recipes that call for cooled potatoes.

All of these ways are easy and successful to boil potatoes. The best one however should be the one that consumes the least time. Hence, boiling potatoes in a microwave is the best boiling method as:

• It uses the least time (about 5-6 minutes) as compared to the other three.
• It is safest than others as it does not require heating on a gas stove.
• It also saves gas fuel.

TASTY SERVINGS OF BOILED POTATOES

Here Are 6 Indian Dishes Made With Boiled Potatoes (Aloo) That You Must Try:

1. Rasedaar, Aloo

The traditional aloo sabzi of boiled potatoes dipped in a flavorful gravy is given a ‘healthy’ makeover with boiled potatoes. Aloo rasedar is your ideal ‘desi’ dish, with soft and mushy potatoes cooked with a variety of common spices.

2. Sookhe Aloo

Another popular Indian aloo sabzi, this one without gravy, is equally tasty. Roasted potatoes are seasoned with fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cardamom, ginger, and cumin. This aloo sabzi is absolutely delicious.

3. Aloo Dahi

Do you want your potatoes to have a tangy flavor? The best option is the Dahi aloo dish. Boiled potatoes are cooked in tomato puree, curd, and a variety of spices.

4. Achaari Aloo

This aloo dish is a must-try for its authentic Indian flavors. A variety of flavors, including achaar masala, vinegar, sugar, and spices like mustard seeds and kalonji, transform regular boiled potatoes into something you’ve never tasted before.

5. Aloo Ki Chaat

When we discussed the versatility of potatoes, snacks are always the first to mind. Aloo ki chaat is a traditional Indian street food that can never go wrong.

6. Aloo Ki Tikki

We know you were looking forward to this. Even after having it a million times, aloo ki Tikki still wins our hearts. You can make spicy aloo Tikki with a healthier twist by frying them in a pan rather than deep-frying them.

So, start boiling your favorite potatoes and enjoy these popular Indian aloo dishes guilt-free.

Expert Tips and Tricks for Boiling Potatoes:

Here are some pointers on how to boil aloo:

• Add herbs and seasonings to the boiling water to add flavor to the boiled potatoes.
• Instead of water, boil potatoes in broth or broth and water.
• Select potatoes that are free of blemishes, have no green spots and have smooth skin.
• Do you have a short amount of time to boil potatoes? Before boiling, cut them into similar-sized cubes and boil or soak them in hot water.
• Boil potatoes without peeling them to keep nutrients intact during the cooking process.

• When peeled boiled potatoes are left open, they turn brownish. To avoid this, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or peel them before using them.

If you have enjoyed reading the article because it tells how to save time while boiling potatoes, “not just boiling it”. You may love the recipe of baby potatoes in Sichuan style… try it…