Whenever I boil them they get way too soft. If I boil them less, they're still raw. What's the best way to boil potatoes and to know that they're done just right?
2007-02-01 06:01:17 · 199 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
You just need to keep a better eye on them.
They are right when they are "fork tender". This means that you can easily stick a fork in them but they still give a little bit of resistance. Also you need to remember that because of the residual heat they will continue cooking for a few minutes after you take them off and drain them.
The variety of potato makes a huge difference as well.
Yukon gold make excellent mashed potatoes.
Red new potatoes are the best for boiling.
White new potatoes do ok, but (IMHO) are not as good as the red.
Russets are for baking, not boiling.
2007-02-01 06:07:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 45⤊ 7⤋
Cinnamon; I have not read all of the answers.I'll give you my method. You can peel them or leave the peeling on.
1. You want to start with cold water.
Put the potatoes in cold water covering them.
If you put the potatoes in hot water the out side of the potato will be done before the inside. And, it leaves them mushy.
2. You want to boil them till you can stick a knife or fork in them and the potato falls off. If the potato stays on the knife it is not done.
It takes about 20 - 30 minute or so after the water starts to boil.
If the potatoes are cut into smaller pieces it's the same method only it will not take as long to cook.
With a little practice you will do fine.
Some people like a firmer potato like for potato salad. So you would need to adjust the cooking time.
For potato salad it is best to let the potatoes, if they are whole, to let them cool and then cut them.
Hope your spuds have a better moment.LOL
2007-02-03 06:35:07 · answer #2 · answered by smially 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Put the potatoes in cold water with a bit of salt, bring to a boil and then turn the heat to medium so they're on a low boil for 20 min.
Check after 15 min with a fork to see if they're done. Drain and put back on stove and shake them for 10 seconds or so.
This way they don't look watery.
Sometimes it also depends in the potato, some can get mushy faster and others seem to take forever, thats why it is best to try the fork thing.
2007-02-02 05:59:51 · answer #3 · answered by Mightymo 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Put it in a pan but, make sure the water is over the top of the potato and if u are cooking mashed potato's then u want them soft if u want a baked potato use the micro wave most of them come with the setting for a potato. when I boil a potato I stick a fork into it and if it goes through then the potato is done. Just monitor what ever u cook better than u usually do.
2007-02-01 18:27:40 · answer #4 · answered by thelilsxysmoothone 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How To Boil Potatoes
2016-09-27 19:35:40 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Really it depends on the type of potato and how your boiling it. Are you boiling it whole, cut into pieces, how large is it, etc?
Regardless, the easiest way to boil potatoes is bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add salt to season the water. Boiling whole potatoes takes longer than pieces and the larger the potato the longer the cooking time. Drop them into the boiling water. After 20 minutes, check their doneness by inserting a knife into the center of the potato, whether whole or piece. If it slides through without any resistance they are done. Remove them from heat and strain. Do not run them under cold water.
2007-02-05 10:20:09 · answer #6 · answered by lexisk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wash the potatoes in cold water. Peel. Rinse again in cold water. Cut the potatoes into as equal size pieces as possible -- they don't have to be small pieces. Put them in a roomy pot and add cold water to about 1-2 inches above the potatoes. But on high heat and bring to a boil -- you can turn down the heat a little if the liquid starts to boil over the top of the pot. Check potatoes after 20 minutes of boiling by sticking a fork into one of the larger pieces. If the fork goes into the middle of the potato easily, they are done. If you use smaller potato pieces, check them sooner. Drain the potatoes in a colander and put them back in the warm empty pot. They are now ready to mash or just add butter and salt as is. When you buy potatoes should be hard. There are different kinds of potatoes. I know some of the other posters won't agree but like to use russet potatoes for baking and boiling when I'm mashing them. White and red potatoes are good for other recipes.
2007-02-04 07:43:00 · answer #7 · answered by HelloHello 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Start the potato in cold water with salt added. After the water starts boiling time for about 15 minutes. When you stick them with a fork the fork should go into the potato very easily. If not baoil a little onger. If this is too soft cut the time. It all depends on the size you have the pieces cut into.
2007-02-03 12:29:53 · answer #8 · answered by Big Sis 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Main thing is to cut them all around the same size. Otherwise you get some lumps of underdone and some smaller pieces that are overcooked. Stir them a couple of times while they're gently boiling, so that the heat is consistant from top to bottom of the pot, bringing the bottom ones to the top and sinking the top ones to the bottom.
It should take about 15 to 20 minutes of boiling time if the peices are cut to brazilnut (or flattened walnut), size. Put fork in them and check for doneness. The fork should go in pretty easily without the potato falling apart. Don't let them sit in the water, drain right away thoroughly.
2007-02-02 17:34:58 · answer #9 · answered by Cynthia D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
start with cold water!!! That way, the outside will not cook quicker than the inside. Also, salt the water. If the potatos are cut small, hey should cook 5-8 minutes boiled, and bigger potatos should probably take 15-20 minutes. Check often for doneness by trying to stick a fork or the tip of a knife in one. It should go in easily, but not to easily.
2007-02-02 05:42:11 · answer #10 · answered by sweettart4852 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this sounds labor intensive, but if you cut the potatoes up... about 1/2" to 3/4" squares, you can boil them and they will all cook about the same. Smaller pieces will naturally cook a bit faster and sooner than the others but that is okay... at least this way, you will have consistency.
Just check them by piercing any piece with a fork so you will know when they are soft and then ready to mash. Oh, and you can peel them or not. If you don't peel them, just make sure you clean them really well with a vegetable scrubber or with a clean cloth under running water so you make sure to get all the dirt off of them. There are many nutrients in the peel so with the peel is usually best if you are inclined to eat them this way. Good luck!
2007-02-02 01:57:13 · answer #11 · answered by Maria G. G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋