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This has happened to me more than once. I buy potatoes, either for just boiling, maybe with corned beef and cabbage; or for boiling for potato salad.
They are usually those white potatoes. I usually peel them and cut them maybe in quarters. I try to keep the chunks of equal size, but I often find that some potatoes are done way before the others.
They all look similar when they buy them. I am thinking that they may be in different batches and of different ages and the store just mixes them all up in the bins.
I find this very annoying and would appreciate knowing if others have the same problem and if there is some magic method of avoiding the problem.
I would imagine that we do get mixed batches at various stages of storage and age. I don't find this to be a huge problem though. Except for the big nasty black spots in some. I do despise under done potatoes. Uneven cooking hasn't been a problem I've seen though.
Have you thought about using red potatoes instead? They are all the same size and taste fantastic mashed or in salad. The skin comes off easily when I quarter and boil them. I find red potatoes are fantastic to use for taste and ease.
This has happened to me more than once. I buy potatoes, either for just boiling, maybe with corned beef and cabbage; or for boiling for potato salad.
They are usually those white potatoes. I usually peel them and cut them maybe in quarters. I try to keep the chunks of equal size, but I often find that some potatoes are done way before the others.
They all look similar when they buy them. I am thinking that they may be in different batches and of different ages and the store just mixes them all up in the bins.
I find this very annoying and would appreciate knowing if others have the same problem and if there is some magic method of avoiding the problem.
A potato is not just a potato. One has to learn which species (kind) of potato is best for the job at hand. I think this is why you're having trouble getting it right when you buy potato's.
Please.......take time time to read this info so that you can enjoy potato's to the full.......
I rarely have this problem but I use the yukon potatos only for potato salad and it is always from the 5lb bag, not sure that makes a difference.
Maybe the Yukon hold up better in the process. My husband and I are not constant potato eaters and a 5 lb bag spoils before we can finish them. Maybe loose potatoes in the market are older. I never see Yukon sold loose, just white, red, and idaho, and sometimes even that assortment is not available.
Thanks. Maybe I'll try red next time.
I really dislike the pre made potato salad sold in stores.
I agree with making sure you are using the right type of potato. I use yukon or red for boiling (to eat boiled, to mash up, and for potato salad), and never had much of a problem with uniformity.
I am not much of a russet fan. I only use those when I am cooking for a large group (more cost efficient).
I rarely cook any potatoes but reds; they're my favorites. When I buy them I buy them loose and examine each one. They almost always seem to look as if they're from the same batch. I check for firmness and any defects. Like a previous poster, I don't use enough for bags to last. Some batches of potatoes just taste better than others.
I once had trouble with uneven cooking; so now when I boil potatoes I peel them and slice them the entire width of the potato and about 1/2" thick. This exposes the maximum surface area and the potatoes boil evenly and quickly. It's far easier to cut even slices than even hunks.
Wait until they're soft before you take them out. When you mash them use plenty of butter but not too much milk or sour cream and then whip them with a hand mixer. If you're fixing a lot do them in batches. Chives make a nice addition and don't forget black pepper.
A potato is not just a potato. One has to learn which species (kind) of potato is best for the job at hand. I think this is why you're having trouble getting it right when you buy potato's.
Please.......take time time to read this info so that you can enjoy potato's to the full.......
As you can see there are many kinds of potato's with the Russet/Red being the more popular kinds in America.
Well said. We eat potatoes almost every day,and I always have at least two different types of potatoes in the house. I've never had a problem with inconsistent cooking. I think my favorite is Yukon gold potatoes, they have a buttery flavor, but it really depends on the potato dish I am making when choosing the type of potato. Try stirring the potatoes occasionally while they are boiling, maybe the ones at the top are not getting as well-cooked as those on the bottom.
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