potatoes

Potatoes, at first glance, the most ordinary food, have been part of our diets for centuries. They originated in South America and made their way to Europe in the sixteenth century. Some might be surprised that they fall into the category of vegetables. Although most commonly used as a side dish, similar to grains, they significantly differ from them in nutritional profile.

While their main component are carbohydrates, specifically starch, their content is much lower than in the aforementioned grains (rice, wheat, etc.). Yes, it’s true. Potatoes are not the carbohydrate bomb they are often thought to be. On the contrary, they are a relatively low-calorie food, containing only about one-fifth of the carbohydrates compared to, for example, rice or wheat. Potatoes are thus ideal for weight loss as part of a reduction diet.

How to prepare potatoes?

Potatoes are a readily available and popular ingredient that fits into countless recipes. First and foremost, boiled potatoes come to mind, serving as a versatile side dish for meat or fish. They also pair well with tofu, robi (a plant-based meat substitute), seitan, soy cubes, or other meat alternatives.

Mashed potatoes are yet another staple in the diet of many. You can prepare them the traditional way with butter and milk, but experimenting is also an option. Mixing them with peas, pumpkin, or carrots can add not only colour but also interesting flavours and nutrients.

American-style baked potatoes are also highly popular. To make them, simply season the potatoes, drizzle with oil, and bake in the oven or air fryer for about 20–40 minutes at 200 °C. They’re ready when they turn golden brown. Similarly, you can experiment with the flavours, spice them up, or enhance them with a tasty sauce or dip. These potatoes make for an excellent side dish for meat or its plant-based alternatives and are also great with hamburgers, much like the beloved French fries.

Who wouldn’t love a potato salad? Boiled potatoes cut into small pieces and mixed with onions, pickles, egg, mayonnaise, and other ingredients have long had a reputation for being a tasty dish. The original version with mayonnaise is quite high in calories, so you may appreciate a recipe for a lighter version. If you’d like to prepare the most delicious and healthy potato salad, try its fit version with yoghurt or light mayonnaise. However, if you prefer to indulge in a classic dish, consider making, for example, the Viennese potato salad, whose original recipe is mayo-free. It consists only of potatoes, broth, mustard, oil, and onions.

Unforgettable potato recipes also include the French potatoes. Not only are they tasty, but you can also simply mix them with your favourite ingredients, put them in a baking dish, and let them bake. Since there are no limits to your imagination, you can prepare them with meat, eggs, ham, or even seitan, tempeh, or tofu. That said, if you’re drawn to less traditional recipes, you can try making potato rösti, rissoles, or an Italian frittata. You can also experiment with potato dough and create things like homemade bread, pancakes, gnocchi, pierogi, or dumplings.