Simple Fried Potatoes for Your Daily Activities

Fried Potatoes in one of the best food for your daily mood booster. Sometimes, you may eat rice. But, potatoes is one of the best choices to fill your stomach. It can make your body stay fit and keep you away from fat.

Both rice and potatoes give you calories to do works and activities. They also produce carbohydrates needed by your body.

Consuming food is closely related to calories intake. As you eat, you gain some energy in to be able to release energy out when doing physical activities.

Calories Human Needs in a Day

Having a lot of activities require you to consume food with enough calories. It is also important to know the calories you need to stay healthy every day.

Calories needed for a day depends on these things: your age, your sex, and your level of activeness. The amount of calories differs on the regular physical activity.

For children, more calories are needed at older ages. Whereas adults need to restrict calories consummation at older ages.

Generally speaking, there are three levels of activeness:

1. Not Active

Not much energy out. Usually just doing light activities like cooking or walking to mailbox.

2. Somewhat Active

Some energy out. Do something equal to walking quickly for 30 to 40 minutes and also do light activities.

3. Very Active

A lot of energy out. Walking or doing physical ability more than 40 minutes with addition of doing light activities such as cooking, cleaning the house, or playing sports.

Active boy kids of age 4-8 need at least 2000 calories. As for adult men in their 30s, they need 3000 calories.

Active girl kids need 1800 calories. As they grow up, they will need more calories. Adult women in 30s have to consume around 2400 calories.

Consuming more calories than your actual needs may result in obesity, so you need to be careful and aware of your food calories from now on.

One of food that contains low calorie is potato. It is less of carbohydrates too. You can consider eating potato as your daily meal, but of course, you have to measure the serving size correctly.

Brief Description of Potatoes

Potatoes originated from South America and were brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in 16^th century. At first, potatoes were avoided because people thought it was a poisonous foodstuff. The popularity of potatoes rose when a French person named Parmentier created mashed potato.

The potatoes were not recognizable at all. The credit also goes to a British named Rumford who created a mush soup made of potatoes, peas and vinegar, and barley. People thought it was inexpensive and satisfying dish. Actually, this is one of the most delicious fried potatoes you should try.

Nowadays, people around the world have at least recognized potatoes as a food source. They make dishes from it. Potato salad, potato fries, potato pudding, and much more.

With hundred varieties which range in shape, color, size, starch content and flavor, potatoes are familiar within households. The skin of potatoes is generally brown or red, sometimes yellow. It may be smooth or rough, and the flesh colors vary from white to purple.

The texture of potatoes differs from one another. It depends on their cooking preparation although generally it is creamy and rich.

Selecting and Storing Potatoes Properly

Before jumping to the kitchen, you need to know how to select and store potatoes properly. As inappropriate storing will damage the potatoes. You also do not want to buy the deformed potatoes.

1. Buy Potatoes from a Bulk Display

When you go to the supermarket, you can find a bulk display of potatoes along with the packaged one. It is better to buy from the display because you can inspect the potatoes to see if there is any damage or decay.

2. Do not Buy the Already Cleaned Potatoes

Already cleaned potatoes do not have its protective coat which means potatoes are exposed and more vulnerable to bacteria. Besides, you will need to wash it again before cooking. Washing them twice is likely a waste of time. And, it is also more expensive.

3. Keep Potatoes in Dark and Dry Place

Ideally, you store potatoes in a dark and dry place with a temperature of 7-10ºC and it should not be exposed to sunlight as it can cause a toxic alkaloid, solanine, to form. Room temperature will cause potatoes’ sprouting and dehydrated.

4. Do Not Store in a Fridge

If you store your potatoes in the fridge, their starch contents will turn to sugar. It gives them an undesirable taste. Also, do not store potatoes near onions as their gasses will cause degradation to one another. Keep potatoes in a paper bag or burlap.

Methods to Cook Potatoes

There are many ways of cooking potatoes. Each method needs you to prepare the potatoes first.

1. Boiling

You will have to wash, peel and cube the potatoes before boiling it. Boil it in salted water until tender. Time for boiling may vary.

2. Baked

Scrub potatoes and pat water excess using kitchen towel. Prick potatoes’ surface with a fork. You need an oven to bake potatoes. The temperature is around 190º to 218º C. It takes usually an hour to bake. You can wrap potatoes with oil if you wish.

3. Microwave Baked

Scrub the potatoes, pat dry, and prick with a fork. Using microwave will result in moist potatoes.

4. Roasted

Scrub potatoes, pat dry. Cut it into cube or wedges. Set the temperature of 218ºC. Toss potatoes with oil and seasonings. Roast until browned and tender.

5. Mashed

After boiling potatoes, mash it with a potato masher. Usually, butter, milk, or cream cheese is added to give a creamy texture. Do not overbeat the mashed potato mixture.

6. Deep-Fried

Wash, peel, and slice using a mandolin or sharp knife. Deep fry in a fryer at 190ºC until golden.

 

Fried Potatoes Recipes

Fried potatoes can be eaten as a meal or snack. These recipes below are some recommendation for you. In times when you feel like eating fried potatoes, you can turn to these recipes.

1. Super Easy Fried Potatoes

As the name suggests, this recipe is super easy! You can try one as your fried potatoes breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoon margarine
• 6 potatoes, sliced or cubed
• Salt
• Pepper
• Green onions, chopped (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Melt margarine in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add sliced or cubed potatoes, cook until tender.
3. Flip and stir potatoes and continue to cook until golden brown.
4. Remove from pan, place it in a bowl.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss them together.
6. Sprinkle green onions if desired.
7. Serve

2. Fried Potato Wedges

Ingredients:

• 4 large baked potatoes
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup of milk
• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Oil for frying
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 ketchup
• 4 tablespoon hot chili sauce

Cooking Instruction:

For Potatoes:

1. In a deep pot or deep fryer, place oil and bring to heat over medium-high heat.
2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.
3. In another bowl, put together flour, seasoning salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili powder. Whisk.
4. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise, then each into half thirds or fourths, depending on the size.
5. Dredge potato wedges into the flour mixture and shake off excess flour.
6. Dip the flavored wedges into the egg mixture.
7. Dip it back to flour mixture and shake off excess flour.
8. Fry 5-6 wedges in turn. Fry about 4 minutes until golden brown.
9. Drain on a paper towel, sprinkle with a little salt.
10. Repeat until all wedges are cooked. Serve potato wedges with the dipping sauce.

For Dipping Sauce:

Mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, and chili sauce in a small bowl.

3. Easy Pan Fried Potatoes

A delicious fried potatoes suitable for breakfast or dinner.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• ½ onion, diced
• 6-8 medium red potatoes, leave skins on, sliced
• Salt
• Pepper
• Parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a sauce pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add in diced onions and saute for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add in sliced potatoes, season with salt and pepper.
4. Cover the pan and let cook. Stir potatoes every 2 minutes to cook them evenly and to prevent them from sticking.
5. Turn down the heat to medium and keep mixing.
6. If you want the potatoes to be crispy, you can cook a little longer.
7. Before they are done, sprinkle with parsley.
8. Serve immediately.

You can add paprika or garlic powder for more taste. You can also use herbs!

4. Parmesan Garlic Roasted Baby Potatoes

This recipe creates crispy potatoes with superb texture and flavor. They can be prepared quickly too.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ lbs baby potatoes, halved
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Scallions and/or chives, finely chopped

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 204ºC.
2. In a small bowl, combine grated cheese, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir together with a fork.
3. In a 9×13 glass baking dish, pour oil and tilt it around so the oil coats the entire bottom.
4. Sprinkle cheese mixture over bottom of the pan. Do it carefully.
5. Arrange potatoes in a single layer, cut the side down, in the top of cheese mixture. Press potatoes to make sure they touch cheese layer.
6. Bake potatoes for 30-40 minutes. Try to poke potatoes with a fork, if it is soft, then it is done. Check also if the cheese turn browned.
7. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
8. Using small spatula, remove potatoes carefully to keep the cheese intact on the cut side of potato.
9. On serving platter, arrange potatoes cheese side up. Sprinkle with chopped chives or scallions.
10. Serve with sour cream or Greek yogurt.

5. Melting Sweet Potatoes

This dish is perfect for celebration and family gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg sweet potatoes
• 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup chopped pecans

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 218ºC. Prepare a roasting pan.
2. Peel and slice the potatoes into one inch thick slices. Scatter them over roasting pan.
3. Melt the butter and drizzle it on top of the sweet potatoes.
4. Sprinkle on salt. Toss them together and respreads on a pan in a single layer.
5. Roast sweet potatoes for 20 minutes.
6. Flip with tongs, and roast for another 20 minutes.
7. When they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside and light plus fluffy on the inside, the sweet potatoes are done cooked.
8. Make the maple pecan sauce by boiling the maple syrup in a small saucepan. Add the pecans
9. Bring sauce mixture to boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
10. Pour the sauce over the sweet potatoes and serve while warm.

A little tip: vanilla ice cream on top of potatoes also sounds like a good idea.

6. Potato Nachos

Nachos Ingredients:

• 10-11 Honey Gold Potatoes, slice into 1/8 inch thick rounds
• 3 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 4 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1 ½ teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• ½ cup evaporated milk

Nachos Topping:

• Chopped pickled jalapeno
• Chopped green onions
• Tomatoes, diced
• Avocado, diced
• Raw onion, diced
• Sour cream
• Chopped cilantro

Cooking Instruction:

1. Preheat oven to 232 degrees C. cover two baking sheets with foil, and spray the foil using cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, mix potatoes and olive oil. Toss them together until potatoes are coated.
3. Spread potatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle salt and pepper.
4. Bake for 23-27 minutes or until golden brown. Toss once during the baking process.
5. Let cool and proceed to make cheese sauce.
6. In a bowl, mix together cheese and cornstarch. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan.
7. Add hot sauce and evaporated milk. Cook over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickened and melted. It takes around 5-10 minutes.
8. Arrange the potatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle them with the cheese sauce.
9. Top with jalapeno, tomatoes, green onions, diced avocado, onion, sour cream, and cilantro.
10. Serve immediately.

7. Fried Mashed Potato

Do you sometimes feel bored of eating ordinary mashed potato? Then, try to fry them!

Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil
• 2 ½ cup mashed potatoes
• ½ cup sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1 tablespoon chives, sliced (and more for garnish)
• ½ teaspoon hot sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 container sour cream
• Flour (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a skillet, pour oil and fill the pan until 1/3 way up. Heat over medium heat.
2. Prepare a large bowl. You can pour potatoes, cheese, chives, hot sauce, salt, and egg in it . Mix together. Make it into half-sized dough balls, press with a spatula and drop into the oil.
3. Next, you need to fry the mashed potatoes about 2-3 minutes per each side. Do not crowd the pan.
4. Remove excess oil with paper towel.
5. In a plate, top the mashed potatoes with sour cream and chives before serving. Or, put the sour cream into small bowl.

8. Extra Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Baking method is used to make this fried potatoes, nevertheless, it has crispy edges and soft center!

Ingredients:

• 3 medium sized sweet potatoes, cut into wide-thin sticks
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 204ºC and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place sliced sweet potatoes in a large ziplock bag, shake with cornstarch. Pour potatoes into a strainer and shake off excess cornstarch.
3. Place potatoes in a bowl, add olive oil, garlic, salt, chili powder, and black pepper.
4. Line potatoes on the baking sheet. Do not put too many potatoes. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip the side. Bake for another 15 minutes. Rotate baking pan to avoid uneven browning.
5. Turn off the oven and keep the fries inside for 30 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes, remove fries from pan. Serve and enjoy!

With this variation of fried potatoes recipes, you can level up your cooking skill. Some of them combine two kinds of the cooking method which could be something new for you. Moreover, given how easy the recipes are, it means that you won’t spend too much time on making it. Happy cooking!