How to boil potatoes in a saucepan in different ways for different dishes

Potatoes are probably the most popular product in any kitchen. Firstly, without it it is practically impossible to cook any first dish, be it borsch, okroshka or home-made noodles. It is like a filler, giving richness to soups. Do not doubt - if you take only a potato for the basis of a liquid dish, you will get an excellent and satisfying meatless dish. Secondly, from this popular root vegetable prepare a great variety of various side dishes, ranging from a well-known mashed potatoes to ruddy pieces of fries. But before you start working, you need to know how to boil potatoes in a saucepan. This article describes this very simple method, because not all housewives have modern equipment at their fingertips - a microwave oven or a pressure cooker.

How to boil potatoes in a saucepan? Two methods

When cooking any dish, you can not do without water. It can be used in two ways: as a direct solution for cooking or as a means for creating steam. We will tell you more about each of them.

How to cook potatoes in a saucepan for a couple?

This method has a huge number of advantages:

- useful substances from products do not escape into the water;

- the potatoes do not change shape, getting ready and whole and not boiled;

- You can prepare a dish and without the miracle of technology, using only an ordinary pan and an enamel or aluminum colander installed on top of it.

Along with all the positive aspects, it is worth taking into account some peculiarities. For a couple of potatoes usually cook a little longer. In addition, you can not adjust its taste during cooking, adding salt. This will have to be done with the dish already received. This method does not fit, if you decide to make a mashed potatoes. Most often, the root vegetables are cooked on a steamed or uncoated skin for use in salads or further frying in oil.

How to boil potatoes in a saucepan in water?

In the already boiling solution this ingredient is usually covered in a cut form. This is done when cooking soups or mashed potatoes. If you cook potatoes in a uniform, then pour the washed tubers with cold water and gradually bring to a boil, then reducing the fire to a minimum.

How much to cook potatoes on mashed potatoes ?

The duration depends primarily on the properties of the product. The more starchy the potato, the faster it will become soft and crumbly. But it is very important not to miss the right moment, as the prepared pieces can quickly turn into a homogeneous viscous mixture, from which mashed potatoes will be made impossible. Therefore, before you start working, you need to know how quickly the product is prepared. Proceeding from this, approximately determine how many minutes to cook potatoes. Usually half an hour is enough. Try its readiness by piercing a match or fork. Then carefully drain the hot broth, top and add butter. Especially tasty mashed potatoes are obtained if it is whipped with a mixer, gradually diluting with hot milk. The universal garnish is ready!