Secret Ingredient: Potato
Today, the potato is one of the most popular side dishes across the world and there are over 4000 different known varieties. Potatoes are put in to seven different categories: yellow, red, white, purple/blue, russet, petite and fingerling.
All of these varieties have different characteristics, flavours and cooking recommendations. Below are descriptions of the 4 most popular:
YELLOW
Taste: Medium sugar content, subtly sweet, buttery and rich.
Texture: Moist, velvety and slightly waxy.
Uses: Salads, mashes, roasting and grilling.
RED
Taste: Low sugar content, nutty, earthy.
Texture: Firm, starchy, moist and floury.
Uses: Baking, salads, grilling and roasting.
WHITE
Taste: Low sugar content, subtly sweet and mild.
Texture: Slightly dense, creamy with delicate skin.
Uses: Mashing, steaming, boiling, salads and frying.
PURPLE/BLUE
Taste: Low sugar content, nutty, earthy.
Texture: Firm, starchy, moist and floury.
Uses: Baking, salads, grilling and roasting.
Health
Despite the potato’s reputation of being unhealthy, it is actually not as bad as most people think. They are packed with B6, antioxidants that fight free radicals, and also contains more potassium than bananas, which helps maintain your blood pressure. The best way to keep all the nutrients is to avoid the deep fryer, and bake them with the skin on.