This is how you boil your potatoes fast!

This will save you so much time

Whether you’re making fries, mashed potatoes, a potato salad or some hash browns, boiling spuds is an inevitable part of cooking for some recipes. And usually it takes a while for these yellow guys to come to a boil. But did you know there are ways to speed up the process?

The size of the pot

Did you know the size of your pot influences the boiling time of the potato? Now you might think that the pot should be smaller. And that makes sense because a smaller pot means less water, so the water will boil faster. But that is not how it works in this case. If you choose a small pot, your potatoes will be cuddled up in the water. This causes them to mostly touch each other instead of the water they’re in. If you pick a pot that is bigger, your potatoes will be submerged in the boiling hot water causing them to be done faster.

Electric kettle

Another tip is to use boiling water instead of cold water. If you use water that has already been boiled in the electric kettle, you won’t have to wait for the water to boil inside of the pot. So when the pot is big enough and the water is already boiling hot, your potatoes will be done in no time at all! If you want all your potatoes to be done at the same moment, you should make sure that all of them are equal in size otherwise the smaller ones will be done before the big ones. So cut the big ones in half.

Using a Pressure Cooker

If you’re really in a hurry, you can use a pressure cooker to boil your potatoes. This method is faster than boiling on the stovetop and is perfect for those who are short on time. Simply add the peeled and diced potatoes to the pressure cooker, along with enough water to cover them. Cook on high pressure for 4-6 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. The pressure cooker seals in the steam, which cooks the potatoes quickly and evenly.

Adding Aromatics

For extra flavor, you can add herbs, spices, and other aromatics to the boiling water. Rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, and garlic are just a few of the ingredients that you can use to infuse your potatoes with flavor. Simply add them to the pot with the potatoes and water and let the flavors infuse while the potatoes are cooking.

Timing is Key

Timing is critical when boiling potatoes. Overcooking can lead to mushy potatoes, while undercooking can result in firm, underdone potatoes. To check for doneness, insert a knife into the center of a potato. If the knife slides in easily, the potatoes are done. If the knife meets resistance, give the potatoes a few more minutes on the stove.

Cooling the Potatoes

Once your potatoes are cooked, it’s important to drain them and let them cool for a few minutes. This will allow the potatoes to absorb some of the flavors from the boiling water and will also prevent them from breaking when you’re tossing them in a salad or mashing them. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the potatoes to a bowl and let them cool for 5-10 minutes before using them in your recipe.

One last tip: if all you need is parboiled potatoes, you can use the microwave to do that for you. Poke some holes in the potato with a fork and put them in the microwave for two minutes. After the two minutes are up, flip the potatoes over and heat them for another two minutes. That saves you a lot of time!

Also read: 5 things you can clean with potatoes

Source: Kookfans, Libelle | Image: Pixabay

Source: https://www.tips-and-tricks.co/food/this-is-how-you-boil-your-potatoes-fast2/