The last articles I wrote were about Jello and Jello Shots. One a dessert recipe, the second one a drink recipe. Today a knowledge base article is planned. Although the subject seems simple, I see it a lot on the internet. The right time to pay attention to it. In this new knowledge base article we take a closer look at the question of how to boil potatoes.
What is the definition of Boiling Potatoes
The meaning of Boiling Potatoes is:
”Peeling or putting the potatoes with skin in a pan with water. You need to cook the potatoes for 20 minutes before you can use them for your recipe”.
Boiling Potatoes
You may be wondering why you are reading this, this must be the basics of cooking. It is, but that is why it is so important. The same goes for peeling garlic. You have to read this once and you can use this information forever. By boiling the potatoes you can use them in a dish such as: soup, a salad or mashed potatoes. The potatoes getting cooked, because of the boiling.
Before you can start cooking potatoes, you will have to perform a number of actions. You start by peeling the potatoes with a paring knife. Cut the potatoes into pieces after peeling. You can cut them in half and then cut them again through the width giving you 4 pieces. Of course you can decide for yourself how big or how many pieces you want. It is best to make sure that there are equal pieces. This way you ensure that they are all cooked equally. The next step is to fill a pan with water. Rinse the potatoes before adding them to the pan of water. Add a little salt to the water and you can turn on the gas to cook the potatoes.
Steps before boiling
Before you can start boiling potatoes, you will have to perform a number of actions. You start by peeling the potatoes with a paring knife. Cut the potatoes into pieces after peeling. You can cut them in half and then cut them again through the width giving you 4 pieces. Of course you can decide for yourself how big or how many pieces you want. It is best to make sure that there are equal pieces. This way you ensure that they are all cooked equally. The next step is to fill a pan with water. Rinse the potatoes before adding them to the pan of water. Add a little salt to the water and you can turn on the gas to cook the potatoes. Below the steps for boiling the potatoes:
- Peel the potatoes with a paring knife
- Cut the potatoes into pieces
- Wash the potatoes before putting in a pan
- Fill a pan with water
- Add the potatoes
- Add a little bit of salt to the water
- Turn on the gas on medium heat
- Cook the potatoes for 20 minutes
- Sieve the potatoes
- Serve the potatoes
Can you boil all potatoes
Potatoes come in different shapes and sizes. Depending on where you live, you also have other brands. We can distinguish two types of potatoes:
- Waxy potatoes
- Crumbling potatoes
Potatoes that fall under waxy are: Nicola, Bildstar, Opperdoeze Ronde, Russet Potato. Crumbling potatoes are: Eigenheimer, Bintje and Gloria. Each type has its own cooking method. I will explain this further below.
Waxy potatoes Boiling
Waxy potatoes, in for example the Netherlands also known as ”Vasthoudende Aardappelen”, can be small potatoes with a light skin. These retain their shape with cooking or baking because they have a low starch content and a high moisture content. These are the types of potatoes that you completely submerge when cooking. You fill the pan with water so that the potatoes remain under water. Then you cook the potatoes on medium gas. How long to boil these potatoes? It takes about 20 minutes before they are cooked. To check if they are done, prick a potato with a fork. If your fork goes in easily, the potatoes are done. If you notice that there is resistance, the potatoes have to cook even longer. When they are cooked, turn the gas on low for an additional 2 minutes. Then drain the potatoes and use them for your recipe.
Crumbling potatoes boiling
The second type are crumbling potatoes. For this type you don’t have to fill the pan completely with water. Often used as standard thumb height or half-height water. The problem is that if you use too much water, the potatoes can get mushy. How long to boil these potatoes? You can also cook these potatoes in 15 to 20 minutes. To check if the potatoes are good, you also prick the potato with your fork. If you go through them easily, they are good. If it’s stiff, you have to cook them a little longer. It’s important that you keep an eye on it. So if you cook them for too long they can get mushy and that is a shame.
A tip for cooking them perfectly: if they really need an extra minute before they are cooked, drain the potatoes and let them steam. Before serving them, shake off the last bit of water. You will notice that there will be crumbs from the potatoes on the edges of the pan. That’s how they are perfect!
For both types you can choose to peel them or leave the skin on. The time remains the same, the most important thing is that the potatoes are the same size. This to ensure that the pieces are cooked equal.
How long to boil potatoes
Depending on how big you cut the potatoes and the type of potatoes, boiling potatoes is around the numbers below:
- Waxy potatoes: 20 minutes
- Crumbling potatoes: 15 – 20 minutes
Make sure the potato pieces are always the same size. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but if you have a lot of large potatoes and a few small ones, the small ones will be cooked much earlier than the large ones. If you choose for whole potatoes it takes around the 40 to 60 minutes before they are fully cooked.
Potatoes Boiling Ingredients
Everyone knows the ingredients, but I mention it again: potatoes and salt. You can find the recipe below. Interested in cooking videos watch my YouTube Channel.
How to Boil Potatoes
Equipment
- Cooking Pan
- Sieve
Ingrediënten
- 1 kg Potatoes
- Salt
Instructies
- Start by peeling the potatoes with a paring knife.
- Cut the potatoes into pieces. Make sure the pieces have (almost) the same size.
- Wash the potatoes before putting in a pan.
- Fill a pan with water.
- Add the potatoes and add a little bit of salt to the water. Make sure the potatoes are under water.
- Turn on the gas on medium heat. Cook the potatoes for 20 minutes. Test if the potatoes are cooked nicely. If there are not fully cooked, just cook them for 2 a 3 more minutes.
- Sieve the potatoes to remove the water.
- The potatoes are cooked and ready to serve for dinner or to use in a salad / soup!
Notities
- Add the amount of salt as you like. Do you like salty potatoes, just add more salt.Â
Nutrition
FAQ How to boil potatoes
Below you can find the most frequently asked questions:
What are boiled potatoes?
Peeling or putting the potatoes with skin in a pan with water. You need to cook the potatoes for 20 minutes before you can use them for your recipe.
How many types are there?
A lot. I made two categories: waxy potatoes and crumbling potatoes.
How long does it take to boil potatoes?
To cook the potatoes for the waxy potatoes it will take 20 minutes, the crumbling potatoes between 15-20 minutes and the whole potatoes 40 – 60 minutes.