At this time of year new potatoes are just delicious. They don't keep as well if you buy them washed but they don't need to be peeled just washed thoroughly. If you are smart enough to have grown your own or lucky enough to get a gift of home grown ones then they may be quite earthy too.
No problem...
1. The secret is to soak the potatoes. Put them in a clean bucket and fill with water. Walk away for at least 10 minutes but an hour would be great, if you're on the ball and can do this before work or early in the day so much the better.
2. When you return, drain off the water and shake the bucket up and down, as vigorously as you can this is much more fun than muddy scrubbing! it can spatter though so wear an apron. The potatoes make a very satisfying drumming sound which reminds me of my Dad as it always eminated from the utility room (we called it the back kitchen in those days!) when he was washing the spuds, however I recently realised he learned this trick from his mother-in-law. This knocks off the majority of the earth so saves labour.
3. Pour the spuds in into the sink rinse out the bucket, put them back in. Fill the bucket with water again.
4. Remove the potatoes one by one to and use a green pot scourer or small stiff bristled brush to scrub off the remaining dirt. Rinse each one quickly under the tap before putting it in your steamer or a bowl, ready to cook. This works equally well with main crop potatoes later in the year.
As you know I'm partial to time saving devices & instead of using a green pot scourer or small stiff bristled brush to scrub off the remaining dirt, SCRUB'A are little gloves that are amazing at washing your potatoes & keeping your manicure perfect!!!!!!!(available in the Ballymaloe shop -a really great friend got them for me - but maybe Utensils might consider stocking them?!!!
Posted by: notenoughhoursmum | 07/08/2009 at 01:52 PM
Bought my first steamer today after reading "Cleansheets goes shopping", looking forward to steamed veggies rather than boring boiled ones now!
Posted by: Annemarie | 07/08/2009 at 08:55 PM