Make the most of potatoes

Tap into the goodness of potatoes, and bust those carbohydrate myths...

Many people are under the impression that carbohydrates, and in particular potatoes, make you fat, this is simply not true. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Potatoes are one of the most naturally versatile foods available and are 99.9 % fat free. They are also easy to cook, tasty and packed with vital nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin B and folate.

Potatoes can be cooked and served in countless ways – from simple delicious salads and soups, to stir fries, bakes, crisp roasts and creamy mash. The nation’s favourite vegetable has a lot to offer, and is the perfect starting point for a quick, healthy dish.

To help you make the most of potatoes, here are some top time-saving tips.

• To reduce the cooking time for boiled potatoes, simply cut them into quarters or smaller – ready in just 10 minutes.

• Make the most of leftover boiled potatoes. Add to salads, soups or even a frittata for a really quick and easy meal.

• Cut 15-20 minutes off the time that it takes to bake a potato in the oven, by inserting a metal skewer or baking prong through the centre of the potato.

• Looking for speedy healthy working lunch? A jacket potato only takes about 6 minutes to cook in the microwave (6 minutes on full power (approximately 800W for a 225g/8oz potato) then let it stand for 1-2 minutes). Ready to go with humous, cottage cheese or tuna.

For a deliciously creative potato dish, try our recipe for Jamaican potato & jerk chicken stir fry.

Words: Jessica Delaney