Things You'll Need:
- Potatoes
- Knife
- Microwave dish
- Microwave
- Optional herbs, cheese, bacon bits
- Optional grill and hot dogs
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Step 1
Grilled Spud DogsGrill a spud dog. The U.S. Potato Board offers a simple recipe with two ingredients, russet potatoes and hot dogs. Preheat a grill. Scrub one potato for each spud dog. Use an apple corer to cut lengthwise centers out of the potatoes or cut a long wedge out of each potato for a hot dog cradle. Wrap the spud dogs individually in foil and place them on the top grill rack. Close lid and grill over low heat about 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove potatoes, unwrap and serve with condiments like chopped onions, grated cheese, ketchup and mustard.
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Step 2
Mashed PotatoesMicrowave potatoes for mashing. Allow about 1 medium potato per person. Scrub the potatoes. Peel if desired. Put the whole potatoes in a covered microwave dish or cooking bag. Microwave on high 8 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Use oven mitts to remove potatoes and place in large bowl. Mash potatoes with potato masher until smooth. Add milk, butter and seasoning to taste. Continue mashing to desired consistency. Serve promptly. For variety mash with 1/2 cup buttermilk or grated cheese. Add herbs to taste.
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Step 3
Roast potato wedges for snacks or side dishes. Allow 1 medium potato per person. Make a roasting oil with 1 tablespoon margarine per potato. Melt the margarine for 20-30 seconds in microwave dish with garlic powder, rosemary, basil or other herbs to taste. Cut each potato in quarters lengthwise. Put the potatoes in a single layer on a microwave plate or dish. Drizzle herb oil over the potatoes. Cover with microwave cooking dome or wax paper. Microwave on high 9 to 11 minutes or until tender. For variety sprinkle with grated cheese and bacon bits, reheat for 30 seconds or until cheese melts.
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Step 4
Prepared PotatoesChunk your potatoes into the microwave. Scrub 1 to 2 medium potatoes. Peel if desired. Cut into small bite-size chunks and place in a microwave deep dish. Cover and microwave on high 3 to 5 minutes. Stir and continue cooking until tender. Use these ersatz boiled potatoes for potato salad, adding to soups and as a quick side dish. Add herbs or spices as desired.
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Step 5
Add instant potatoes to mend a recipe. If your soup is too soupy, tuna salad is too runny or gravy is too thin, sprinkle in a small amount of instant potato flakes. Stir in and let it sit absorb the extra liquid for a few minutes before adding more flakes. Use to thicken pancake batter and mashed potatoes. Celebrate the potato this month and remember the words of Nora Ephron: "I have made a lot of mistakes falling in love, and regretted most of them, but never the potatoes that went with them."
