Recently the Instagram page Very British Problems asked its 834,000 followers which three vegetables they would eat if they could only eat three for the rest of their life.
The word 'potato' came up in just about every response.
We reckon you could ask the same question in any culture and the response would be exactly the same. There is no more tasty, nutritious and versatile veggie than the humble spud.
There's nothing you can't make with it and everything you do tastes better than everything else, full stop.
Big words, sure. But just try a few of these recipes this week and see if you don't send potatoes straight to the top of your top three list.
Lo-fi party
You've never heard of a jacket potato party? You haven't lived! Or, at least, you haven't entertained in the easiest, breeziest, yummiest way possible.
Handy gem
Okay, so potato gems might be stretching the definition of potato a bit, but there's no denying that those little golden nuggets are terrifically (terrifyingly) tasty. This is why they make such a tasty, not to mention super easy, topping for shepherd's pie. Go on, try it!
Baked in fun
Sign us up for this Hungarian dish that adds sausage and eggs into a buttery, creamy potato bake situation. We know what you're thinking and yes, rakott krumpli would indeed make the ideal brunch dish for a big group of your foodie faves.
Skinning around
Who needs corn chips for nachos when you've got potato skins lying around? Probably leftover from making endless potato bakes (see above). They've got all the cracking crunch of a good chip but with added potato goodness.
Everything tortilla
This potato tortilla is another useful recipe that lets you throw in whatever you need to use up in the fridge or pantry to great effect. Keep it simple, make it herby or add a ton of veggies - however it comes, it goes down well.
King salad
A barbecue isn't a barbecue without a potato salad. Everyone makes the 'best one', but we reckon Adam Liaw's no-mix version would take some beating. It certainly wins for being the prettiest.
Heir apparent
Okay, so Rae Johnstone begs to differ: "This recipe is shamelessly stolen from my Mum, whose potato salad is – to put it simply – the best." The gloves are off, Adam.
Soup's up
Potato soup is another perennial favourite. This version bakes the potato before blitzing, creating a deeper, nuttier flavour. If you're more of a traditionalist, this potato and leek soup recipe is your go-to.
Shaken and stirred
Suanla tudousi is a traditional hot and sour shredded potato side dish that you'll never make just once. It's acidic, fresh and mouth-tingling thanks to a generous helping of Sichuan peppercorns.
Ready for a dip
Another nicely-spiced bake, this one adds garlic and allspice to your standard roast potatoes. The resulting potatoes make excellent dippers for beetroot hummus (or any Middle Eastern-inspired dip, really).
Fry this one
If you're lucky (and this fried potato dish is very lucky) the simplest ingredients come together to create something memorable. Nagesh’s childhood favourite was so good his mother "would always have to compete with the kids eating the potatoes before she had dinner on the table!”
Lamb lover
Potato and lamb go so well together (think of shepherd's pie or moussaka or a lamb roast). In that spirit, these lamb and potato koftes are about to blow your taste buds' tiny minds.
Ahem, of course, taste buds have their mind... otherwise, we'd all be able to stay from roast potatoes and we can't. We just can't.
SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
Have a story or comment? Contact Us
