Perfect potatoes: Avoid common cooking mistakes to save energy
Cooking potatoes might seem like one of the simplest kitchen tasks, and many people do it almost every day. However, sometimes, habit or haste can lead to less-than-ideal results. Let's revisit some important guidelines.
While cooking potatoes appears straightforward, a small mistake can easily be made. Although it might seem minor, this can affect the taste of the potatoes. Do you add salt to the cold water before boiling it? Doing so can extend the cooking time and increase your energy bills. So, what's the proper way to salt the water for potatoes?
Common mistakes when cooking potatoes
The best time to add salt to the water is when it reaches a boiling point. By doing this, the salt dissolves quickly, leaving no residue on the pots. Adding salt at the right moment protects your kitchen equipment and saves time and energy while preserving the full flavor of the potatoes.
Salting the water after it has boiled is also an effective way to reduce energy usage. Water with salt reaches its boiling point more slowly than pure water, resulting in higher energy consumption and longer cooking times. Correcting this mistake can lead to significant savings in a household budget and extend the life of your pots. Additionally, cooking potatoes on a low flame with a lid can further enhance energy efficiency.
How to properly cook potatoes?
Too salty? Not salty enough? These mishaps can occur, but the rule is simple. For 3 quarts of water, it's best to add 2 teaspoons of salt. This ratio ensures the potatoes are well-balanced in taste—neither too salty nor bland.
Apart from salt, an important factor is the temperature of the water when you start cooking the potatoes. We often begin with cold water, but contrary to common practice, it's better to cook them in warm or even hot water. Why? Cooking potatoes in hot water halts the process of releasing starch and prevents leaching of vitamins. As a result, the potatoes will be more floury after cooking and will retain their nutritional benefits.
