Food: Potatoes Rule!

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Potatoes Rule!
Monday, September 19, 2005

Maybe it's the Irish blood in my ancestry, but I can't get enough potatoes! Never mind that dietary experts say that too many carbohydrates are bad for you, and never mind that so many of my favorite potato dishes are loaded with calories and cholesterol. Potatoes seem to satisfy a deep-seated need somewhere in my soul. I love them and I refuse to be ashamed of myself!

It could be that there are so many varieties of potatoes and potato recipes. It is easy to vary the presentation of the potato. Whether it is served heated or chilled, whole or in pieces, sliced or mashed, it retains its wholesome goodness. Potatoes can be served as main dishes, side dishes, desserts or salads. They make appearances at breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snacks. You can even use potatoes to make bread!

Are you searching for a great main dish that is simple to fix and will easily please a wide array of tastes? Try topped baked potatoes. Bake your potatoes as you normally do, and then serve them with each diner's favorite toppings. At our house, we put everything out buffet-style, and the family helps themselves to their favorite combinations. You will find the standard butter, salt, pepper and sour cream on the table. There will also be a large dish of grated cheddar or cojack cheese, diced ham, broccoli, and black olives. This array pleases the picky eaters and even accommodates the resident vegetarians as well as my husband and I, who feel that dinner is not complete without meat. Everyone chooses his or her favorite combination of toppings, and there are no complaints. In fact, this is one of the few meals that I know how to fix that elicit no complaints from anyone in the house. Left on their own, I believe the children would have me serve topped baked potatoes at least once every week.

Another favorite is twice-baked potatoes. Whenever we bake potatoes, we always make several extras. Allow these to cool and cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop the cooked potato out of the skin carefully and mix it in a large bowl with cheese and milk, similar to making mashed potatoes. Spoon the smooth mixture back into the empty potato skin and top with onions, chives, bacon bits, or whatever your heart desires. You can bake these treats right away, or you can freeze them! Simply put them onto a cookie sheet and set them in the freezer overnight. Once they are solid, you can put the potato halves into a large zipper bag or other container and save them for company. They can go straight from the freezer into the oven, and your guests will think that you slaved over the hot stove for hours! They're great to have on hand for unexpected guests or quick snacks.

Mashed potatoes are another potato dish brimming with possibilities. Yes, I'm talking about the traditional, creamy mashed potatoes that your grandmother made every Thanksgiving. You can, of course, serve them with gravy and meat, and they are wonderful that way. You can also take a page from my middle daughter's mental recipe book and mix in shredded cheddar or cojack cheese, then microwave the dish. Presto! Cheesy mashed potatoes! This dish has been a favorite in our house for nearly eighteen years, particularly for convalescing children and those who have recently had their braces worked on. The soft, warm potato is easy to swallow when the throat is sore and needs next to no chewing. In fact, I believe my eldest daughter virtually lived on cheesy-mashed potatoes for a week or so after she had her tonsils removed.

And the joy of mashed potatoes doesn't stop after the first serving. Many households make extra, since leftover mashed potatoes are very versatile and useful in other recipes. Potato bread is a great, sweet bread that makes a fine dinner roll. Potato pancakes are delightful in the morning for a hearty breakfast. There are even casseroles that include mashed potatoes as a main ingredient! So next time you make mashed potatoes, don't pitch those leftovers. Save them and use them to liven up the next few meals at your house.

So don't stop with the old standbys of french fries and boiled potatoes. Explore some of the potato's potential and try some new potato dishes. I've only hit the highlights of this great food. You can try parsley potatoes or roasted garlic potatoes. Check your favorite cookbook for ideas. This is a great time to do it: September is National Potato Month. Enjoy!

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