The 5 Tastiest Ways To Cook Potatoes

Along with wheat, corn and rice, potatoes are a staple food that are eaten the world over. Apparently, the average American eats 110 lb of potatoes every year, with numbers twice that for the average European. There are numerous reasons why this humble tuber is so eternally popular — an obvious one is its versatility. In the following recipe compilation, you’ll see how to make them into a tasty pizza, how to cook them on skewers and discover the perfect grilled potato recipe. Let’s go!

1. Potato Pizza

You’ll need:

• 1 potato
• 2 tbsp parmesan
• ⅓ cup tomato sauce
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 medium-sized mushrooms
• 6 oz mozzarella
• 1 egg
• 4 slices smoked ham/prosciutto

Here’s how:

1. Wash the potato and cut it into thin slices. If the potato is fresh, without any shoots sprouting, then you can also eat the skin. 
2. Heat some olive oil in a pan and place the potato slices in a fan shape, working from the outside in. The potatoes should overlap a bit. 
3. Sprinkle the parmesan over the potatoes and cover the pan. Let simmer for 5 minutes. 
4. Now pour the tomato sauce evenly over the potatoes, and add the oregano. Arrange the mushrooms and mozzarella in a circular pattern so that you leave a hole in the middle. Finally, crack an egg into the center of the potato pizza.
5. Cover the pan and leave it to cook for six minutes, before carefully transferring to a plate.  
6. Place the ham on the pizza and season with fresh ground pepper. 

2. Potato Spirals

You’ll need (for 4 portions):

• 4 medium-sized potatoes
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp chopped herbs (e.g. rosemary and oregano)
• salt and pepper

Here’s how:

1. Wash the potatoes (you don’t need to peel them) and push a long wooden skewer through each one. You may have to use a bit of force, but be careful not to break the skewer.
2. Place a knife at an angle and cut into the potato until the knife meets the skewer. Now turn the potato, keeping the knife in place. This forms a spiral which, once complete, you can carefully pull apart.
3. Place the melted butter into a bowl, and add the minced garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Mix well, and brush onto the potato spirals.
4. Finally, bake for 20 minutes at 375°F.

3. Stuffed BBQ Potatoes

You’ll need:

• 6 medium-sized waxy potatoes
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• salt
• ½ cup fried bacon cubes
• 1 cup grated cheddar
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp chopped up chives

Here’s how:

1. Cut a small piece from both ends of the potatoes so that they can be stood upright. Then use a knife to cut a small cone from each potato before scoring the edges.
2. Pour some olive oil onto the potatoes and season with some salt. Grill the potatoes in an upright position at 390°F for 40 minutes.
3. Now fill the potatoes with bacon before adding some cheese on top and baking for 10 more minutes.
4. To finish, add a dollop of sour cream garnished with more bacon and chives on top.

4. Baked Potato Stroganoff

You’ll need (for 1 serving) :

• 1 large baked potato
• vegetable oil
• 4½ oz beef, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• ⅔ cup vegetable stock
• 6 cherry tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp mustard
• salt and pepper
• ½ cup grated cheese
• crumbled potato chips

Here’s how:

1. Wash the potato, wrap it in aluminum foil and bake it at 350°F for 60 minutes. Heat a bit of vegetable oil in a pan and cook the beef until it is almost cooked through. Add the onions and garlic.
2. Pour in the vegetable stock and add the cherry tomatoes, crème fraîche, tomato paste and mustard, and stir well. Season with salt and pepper and let simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Once the potato is baked, cut an opening at the top and hollow out with a spoon to make space for the beef. 
4. For a final touch, sprinkle on the crumbled potato chips and grated cheddar. Finally, bake at 390°F for 10 minutes.

5. Mashed Potato Muffins

You’ll need (for 6 servings):

• 10½ oz boiled potatoes
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• ⅓ cup grated parmesan
• 2½ tbsp crème fraîche
• 1 egg
• salt and pepper

Here’s how:

1. Using a fork, mash the potatoes in a bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Mix well. 
2. Transfer the mixture to a six-cup muffin pan. 
3. Finally, bake for 15 minutes at 390°F in a convection oven.

Are you surprised by all that this simple root vegetable has to offer? Hopefully these recipes will inspire you to revisit the humble spud!