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Tired of the same old spuds? 10 ways to take your potatoes to the next level​

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Credits: Unsplash
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Maybe it's my Irish ancestry, but I truly love the humble potato. I could (and often do) eat them morning, noon and night. Unlike many of the trendy newcomers (I'm looking at you, acai berries), potatoes are a true superfood. Why? Well, for one thing, you can survive almost indefinitely on *just* potatoes, as they contain almost all the necessary nutrients for human life (including protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals).

In fact, there's even something called the 'Potato Diet', where people eat nothing but potatoes for months on end in an effort to lose weight. An overweight Australian man, Andrew Taylor, did this for a whole year in 2016 and lost 50kg, apparently with no ill effects (just to be clear, we absolutely don't recommend you attempt this, if for no other reason than we imagine you'll get pretty sick of potatoes pretty darn quickly).

So, without further ado, here are 10 ways to take your potatoes to the next level:

1. Roast them

Roasting is probably the most popular way to cook potatoes, and for good reason. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the potato, and makes them lovely and crispy on the outside while remaining fluffy on the inside. You can roast potatoes with or without the skin on, but we prefer them with the skin on as it adds an extra layer of flavour and texture.

Simply toss your potatoes in some oil (olive oil is nice, but any neutral-tasting oil will do), season with salt and pepper (or any other seasonings you like - I can't go past some nice, fresh rosemary), and roast in a hot oven (200C/400F) for 25-30 minutes.
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2. Mash them

Mashed potatoes are a classic for a reason. They're creamy, comforting and go with pretty much anything. You can make them as simple or as fancy as you like, but our favourite way is to mash them with some butter, milk and garlic. You could also add in some shredded cheese, cooked bacon, or even some mashed roasted sweet potatoes for a twist.
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3. Make them into chips/fries

Chips (or fries, depending on where you're from!) are another classic way to enjoy potatoes. You can make them at home pretty easily, and they're way healthier (and tastier, in our opinion!) than the ones you'd get from a fast food restaurant. Simply slice your potatoes into thin strips, toss in some oil and seasonings, and bake in a hot oven until golden and crispy.
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4. Grate them into hash browns

Hash browns make a great breakfast or brunch dish, and they're super easy to make. Simply grate your potatoes (with the skin on or off, depending on your preference), and mix with some shredded cheese, chopped onion and a beaten egg. Season with salt and pepper, and fry in a hot pan until golden and crispy. We have to admit, we can’t go past a good Macca’s hash brown, and the video below purports to show you how to do a DIY version at home!
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5. Boil them

Boiled potatoes might not sound all that exciting, but they can actually be really versatile. You can boiled potatoes with or without the skin on, and they can be served whole, mashed, or even cut into chips/fries. Boiled potatoes are also great for adding to soups and stews, as they'll absorb all the delicious flavours.
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6. Baked potatoes

Baked potatoes are a simple, but delicious way to enjoy potatoes. Just scrub your potatoes clean, prick a few times with a fork, and bake in a hot oven for 45 minutes to an hour. Once they're cooked, you can top them with whatever you like - butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon, the list goes on!
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7. Make them into a soup

Potato soup is a hearty, comforting dish that's perfect for colder weather. There are lots of different ways to make potato soup, but our favourite is a simple recipe that uses chicken stock, potatoes, carrots, celery and onion. You can also add in some shredded chicken, or even some corn or green beans.
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8. Use them in a salad

Potatoes are often thought of as a side dish, but they can actually make a great addition to a salad. A simple potato salad is a great way to use up any leftover boiled or roasted potatoes, and all you need to do is mix them with some chopped onion, celery, mayonnaise and seasonings. For a lighter option, try using plain yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
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9. Gratinée them

Gratinée, or scalloped potatoes, is a French dish that's basically a cross between mashed potatoes and au gratin potatoes. It's made with thinly sliced potatoes, milk and cheese, and it's absolutely delicious. You can make it as simple or as fancy as you like, but our favourite way is to add in some sautéed onions, garlic and fresh thyme.
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10. Make them into gnocchi

Gnocchi are a type of Italian dumpling made from potatoes, flour and eggs. They're usually served with a sauce, but they can also be used in soups or stews. Gnocchi are actually pretty easy to make at home, and they freeze really well, so you can make a big batch and have them on hand for when the craving strikes!
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Well, there you have it. Probably more than you ever wanted to know about potatoes, but hopefully you're now inspired to try something new with this humble, but mighty, little vegetable. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below. And if you have any specific potato varieties you like to use with these different preparation types, let our other members know.

 

[Xe]

I truly believe that potatoes are one of God's greatest gifts to us.

Fun fact about potatoes: The story goes that King Frederick II was looking to introduce potatoes to the population of Prussia as part of his efforts to expand farming in his country. The peasants tasted and rejected the tubers, and so the king planned to trick the populace into eating them. He had a garden of potatoes planted, and told his soldiers to guard the plants to make them appear valuable and precious. At night, the soldiers gave a blind eye to curious peasants who came to steal the king’s potatoes. The reverse psychology worked, and Prussians embraced the potato from then on.

 

[Ricci]

Love a good spud, me!!