New potatoes are harvested when they are still very young, before the sugar content is converted to starch. They are small, have a thin skin and their flesh is smooth and creamy when cooked. New potatoes lend themselves well to being cooked in a pan or boiled, while they are not ideal for fried. This article will give you three excellent methods of cooking new potatoes; read on to find out more.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Pan-Roasted New Potatoes
Step 1. Get the recipe ingredients
To make some great pan roasted potatoes, you will need the following ingredients:
- Half a kilo of new potatoes;
- 2 tablespoons of butter;
- 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil;
- 1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary, chopped;
- Salt and pepper.
Step 2. Prepare the potatoes for cooking
Wash them with cold water, taking care to scrub them with a vegetable brush to remove dirt and other impurities. When they are perfectly clean, cut them into bite-sized pieces. If they are small, it may be sufficient to cut them in half.
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Since the skin of new potatoes is very thin, there is no need to peel them.
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Remove any sprouts or blemishes with a small pointed knife.
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Step 3. Heat the oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat
Let the butter melt and blend with the extra virgin olive oil.
The ideal is to use an iron pan that retains heat well without ever becoming hot. This will create a delicious crust around the potatoes
Step 4. Spread the potatoes in the pan with the cut side facing down
Let them cook for about 5 minutes so that they become crisp and golden. Turn them over to roast evenly on all sides.
Step 5. Season them with salt and pepper
Gently mix them with kitchen tongs or a wooden spoon to distribute the toppings.
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For even tastier potatoes, you can add an aromatic herb of your choice, such as thyme, oregano or rosemary.
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If you wish, you can also add chopped garlic or onion.
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Step 6. Cover the pan with the lid
Reduce the heat and let the potatoes cook over medium-low heat until soft. It will take about 15 minutes.
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Check them often to make sure they aren't burning.
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If the potatoes absorb the oil and butter and seem dry to you, you can add 50ml of water.
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Step 7. Remove the potatoes from the pan
Serve them as a side dish to accompany chicken, fish or steak. Alternatively, you can mix them with rocket to make a hearty, gourmet salad.
Method 2 of 3: Boiled New Potatoes
Step 1. Get the recipe ingredients
To make boiled new potatoes, you will need the following ingredients:
- Half a kilo of new potatoes;
- Butter;
- Salt and pepper.
Step 2. Wash the potatoes with cold water
Gently scrub them with a vegetable brush to remove dirt and other impurities.
Step 3. Transfer them to a large pot
Put the potatoes in the pot and then cover them with cold water. For convenience you can place the pot in the sink and turn on the tap.
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Before putting the potatoes in the pot, take a sharp knife and draw a thin line on the peel. Make sure the blade doesn't get into the pulp. It is enough to draw a thin line that divides the potatoes in half.
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Step 4. Cover the pot with the lid and place it on the stove
Heat the water over medium-high heat.
Step 5. Bring the water to a boil
Reduce the heat and let the potatoes simmer for about 15 minutes. Stick them with your fork to make sure they are soft in the center before you drain them from the water.
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You may need to adjust the flame from time to time to keep the water from overflowing, so don't lose sight of the pot.
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Step 6. Drain the potatoes
You can transfer them to a colander or hold them with the lid of the pot while you pour the water down the sink.
If you want to peel the potatoes, start in the center where you drew a line on the peel before boiling them. As soon as you start peeling them, the peel will come off on its own
Step 7. Put the potatoes in a bowl
Season them with a knob of butter, salt and pepper.
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Alternatively, you can slice them and use them to make a Nicoise salad.
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As a further option you can dress them with oil, herbs and spices to make an incredibly tasty potato salad.
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Method 3 of 3: Mashed New Potatoes
Step 1. Get the ingredients you need
For the mashed potato recipe, you will need:
- 450 g of new potatoes;
- 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil;
- Salt and pepper;
- Spices to taste, butter and grated cheese.
Step 2. Wash the potatoes with cold water
Gently scrub them with a vegetable brush to remove dirt and other impurities.
Step 3. Place the potatoes in a saucepan
Then put the pot in the sink, turn on the cold water tap and completely submerge the new potatoes.
Step 4. Bring the water to a boil
When it comes to a boil, reduce the heat and let the potatoes cook over medium-low heat until tender by piercing them with a fork. It will take about 15 minutes.
Step 5. Preheat the oven to 230 ° C while the potatoes are boiling
Meanwhile, grease a pan with extra virgin olive or sunflower oil.
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If you want, you can line the pan with aluminum foil before greasing it for easier cleaning.
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Step 6. Pour the boiled potatoes into a colander
Drain them well from the water.
Step 7. Arrange the potatoes in the pan
Space them well from each other. If necessary, you can use two baking sheets. If so, remember to grease the second pan as well.
Step 8. Take the potato masher
Lightly press all the potatoes, without breaking them completely. Gently squeeze them from above to expose the pulp.
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If you don't have a potato masher, you can use a large fork.
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Step 9. Season the potatoes with a drizzle of oil
Sprinkle the exposed pulp with a drizzle of oil and then with salt and pepper.
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If you want, you can also add a sprinkle of chilli, garlic powder, cayenne pepper or your favorite spices.
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For a richer and more substantial dish, add a curl of butter as well.
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Don't forget the grated cheese if you want to make mashed potatoes truly irresistible.
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Step 10. Bake the potatoes in the oven for 15 minutes
Serve them when they are golden and crunchy.
