How do I boil potatoes?!


Question: I don't want them to become mushy, I want them to keep the cubed shape. Do I boil the water first then add the potatoes once it's boiling, or do I bring the water to a boil with the potatoes in the pot from the beginning?


Answers: I don't want them to become mushy, I want them to keep the cubed shape. Do I boil the water first then add the potatoes once it's boiling, or do I bring the water to a boil with the potatoes in the pot from the beginning?

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

3 Step ThreePeel 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 Step FourPlace 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 Step FiveRemove 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.

and tada!!! you got yourself potatoes

(^_^)

bring the water to boil with potatoes

put them in with hot water

If you put anything in water before it boils it makes them mushy.

i would boil the water first and then add the potatoes. Let them boil for just a little bit. Test the tenderness with a fork.

Start the potatoes in cool water, that way they cook evenly instead of the outside cooking first. Thats how you get mushy potatoes. Theyll only need about 10 to 15 minutes after they start boiling, depending on how large/small theyre cubed. Just keep checking them.

You can start the water with the potatoes inside. Just keep testing them every few minutes after they start boiling (how long you boil will depend on the size of the potatoes)

Put it in a pressure cooker or a decent boiler.

Add the potatoes while the water is still cold (it'd be dangerous to add them after it's boiling).

The latter, but a good tip I heard on a TV show once...drain the potatoes but put them back in the pot and on the stove if they are a little mushy, the dry heat will steam some of the water out. don't keep them in there too long tho.

Put the potatoes in the pot with the water..cook on medium heat until they are tender..don't let them stay in the water once they are done..Pour the remaining water off immediately, then add your butter and whatever. Stir gently to keep the cube shape.

Bring your water to a boil, then put in the cut pieces of potato (they cook faster this way). It depends on how many you have, but give them about 10 minutes on full boil, then Pierce one with a knife (a sharpe thin one if you have it). When it feels soft, they are done.

If you leave them too long, they get mushy as the starch starts coming out.

that depends on the potatoes. Russet potatoes will fall apart if you cook them to long. Waxy potatoes, like red potatoes, will stay together.

Depends on the type of potatoes if they are going to be mushy or not, its all about the starch. What I do is I peel and cube them rinse them , put them in a pot add water, and salt, and cover them and boil them for about 20- 25 Min's. Drain and mash, you can check your potatoes at any time during the cooking.

turn water on high place potato in boiling water making sure you're still holding the potato.

i am no expert by any means, but i would boil the potatoes whole (peeled) check them periodically with a knife until soft and once soft remove from heat, rinse in cold water and cube.

You put the potatoes and water in the saucepan. Then you bring it to the boil. After its boiled up, cook on medium heat for around 25 - 30 mins, or until you put a knife into them and they are soft.

boil the water and add the potatoes for about 20 min. leave the skin on while boiling.

put them into hot water.





The consumer Foods information on foodaq.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007 FoodAQ - Terms of Use - Contact us - Privacy Policy

Food's Q&A Resources