From mashed potatoes to fried or baked potatoes, there are many delicious recipes for cooking potatoes. Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to prepare them. Steamed potatoes are not only healthier, they are also easy to cook and take very little time to cook. You can serve them alone or mix them with melted butter.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using a Steamer Basket
Step 1. Wash the potatoes well
To do this, just vigorously rub the outer surface of the potatoes with a brush and water, in order to remove all residues of soil or fertilizers.
It is not necessary to peel them. In fact, leaving the peel off will ensure that they hold their shape once they have softened
Step 2. Pour some water into a pot with a steamer basket until it is about 3-8cm full
Instead of the basket you can use a metal sieve or strainer. Make sure that the water does not come into contact with the basket.
Step 3. Place the potatoes in the basket, placing the larger ones at the bottom of the bowl
Smaller potatoes can instead be placed in the upper part of the basket. If they don't all fit, divide them into groups and cook one at a time.
You may want to cut the larger potatoes so that they are equivalent in size to the smaller ones. This will help promote even cooking
Step 4. Put the lid on the pot and close it tightly
This step is extremely important; the lid has the function of trapping the steam that will cook the potatoes. Lidding also helps maintain a higher temperature inside the pot, so the potatoes can cook more quickly.
Step 5. Cook the potatoes for about 10-15 minutes over medium heat
Keep in mind that larger potatoes may take longer to cook than smaller ones.
The cooking will be finished when you can easily cut them with a butter knife
Method 2 of 3: Cook Potatoes Using Aluminum Foil
Step 1. Scrub the potatoes under running water
Use a brush to remove any dirt or grime from the peel. Do not leave the potatoes to soak, as this may actually cause them to lose some nutrients.
It is not necessary to peel them
Step 2. Pour some water into a medium saucepan until it is about 1.5 cm full
You won't need much of it, just enough to create steam once you put the lid on. More water will take longer to boil. To flavor the potatoes, add a pinch of salt to the water.
Step 3. Place 3 aluminum balls in the pot and then place a heat resistant plate on top of them
The balls should be roughly the same size as a golf ball or they should be at least large enough to prevent the plate from coming into contact with water. They should also all be the same size.
If you want, you can use a small oven rack instead of a plate
Step 4. Bring the water to a boil (leaving the dish in the pot)
You can put the potatoes to cook when the water has started to boil and the steam has started to come out of the pot. If you notice that a large amount of water has evaporated, add more to prevent it from drying out completely.
Step 5. Place the potatoes on the plate and put the lid on the pot
With the lid on you will make sure that the steam does not escape from the pot. Distribute the potatoes evenly on the plate (do not stack them in the center) to make sure they all cook evenly.
Step 6. Cook the potatoes for 10-15 minutes
Check them frequently. To do this, remove one and cut it with a knife to determine if it has softened. Always cut the thickest part of the potato, as this will be the last area to cook well.
New potatoes are best suited for steaming. The larger ones can take more than 20 minutes
Method 3 of 3: Microwave Potatoes
Step 1. Wash the potatoes under running water using a brush
It is not necessary to use detergents or other products. Just rub the outer surface of the potatoes and rinse them in the sink.
Leave the peel of the potatoes intact
Step 2. Pour some water into a microwave-safe bowl and place the potatoes in it
Use enough water to cover the potatoes by about an eighth. They can also be cooked without water, but this way you run a greater risk of them drying out.
Step 3. Cover the bowl completely with a sheet of cling film
Alternatively, you can cover it with a microwave-safe dish. Any type of lid will do, as long as no steam escapes.
Step 4. Cook the potatoes for 5 minutes
Cooking times depend on the power of the microwave. When cooked, the potatoes should be crunchy, but you should still be able to prick them easily with a fork. Check them every 1-2 minutes so they don't overcook.
