How to Boil a Potato

Potatoes are one of nature's most versatile foods. They can be stored for long spans of time and can be combined with just about any dish. While cooked and prepared several different ways, the way to cut the cooking time is by first boiling the potato.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Wash 1 or 2 pounds of potatoes thoroughly. Use a clean vegetable scrubbing brush, or a new sponge with a scrubbing side. Rinse well. Do not use soap.

2. Cut away any hard and darkened spots from the potato. No one wants crunchy homemade mashed potatoes.

3. Peel each potato and rinse off any dirt or skin. You can leave them whole or cut them into smaller pieces. If baking them after boiling, leave the skins on. It is a matter of choice to leave the skins on or off when making mashed potatoes.

4. Place all the cleaned potatoes in a pot. Cover the potatoes by 1 inch with water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt for each quart of water. Cover the pot and boil until tender. Whole small or baby potatoes should take 10 to 15 minutes to boil. Medium potatoes take 20 to 25 minutes. Expect whole large potatoes to take 35 to 45 minutes. Watch for boiling over if the pot is fairly full.

5. Remove one of the potatoes and push a knife tip into it. If it slides through easily, the potatoes are done. Cooking time will depend on the type and quantity and freshness of the potatoes. The fresher they are the quicker they cook

Tips & Warnings

• Soak your potatoes for an hour before cooking them to let them absorb water. They will cook faster and it saves some heat in the kitchen.

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