How to Parboil Potatoes: 10 Steps
Parboiling potatoes is a technique that partially cooks them, making them easier to handle in various recipes and shortening the overall cooking time. Knowing how to parboil potatoes comes in handy
for dishes like potato salad, mashed potatoes, or even oven-baked fries. Here are 10 simple steps to parboil potatoes:
1. Choose your potatoes: Use firm, fresh potatoes without any visible cuts or bruises. Waxy or all-purpose potatoes work best for this method.
2. Wash the potatoes: Rinse your potatoes thoroughly under running water, gently scrubbing off any dirt using a vegetable brush.
3. Peel (optional): If your recipe calls for peeled potatoes, use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin from each potato. Otherwise, leave the skin on.
4. Cut the potatoes (optional): Depending on your recipe and desired size, you may chop the potatoes into equal-sized pieces. Keep in mind that smaller pieces will cook faster.
5. Fill a pot with water: Placea large pot filled with water on the stovetop – enough water to cover the amount of potatoes you’re parboiling.
6. Salt the water: Add one tablespoon of salt per quart of water in the pot. This enhances the flavor of your potatoes during parboiling.
7. Bring to a boil: Turn on the heat to high and bring the salted water to a rolling boil.
8. Add the potatoes: Slowly add your prepped potatoes to the boiling water using a slotted spoon or kitchen spider, being careful not to splash hot water on yourself.
9. Cook: Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle boil and cook for 5-10 minutes – depending on potato size, variety, and desired level of tenderness – until slightly firm but not fully cooked through.\
10. Drain & cool: Once sufficiently cooked, drain the potatoes into a colander and run cold water over them to stop the cooking process. Let the potatoes drain and cool to room temperature before using them in your recipe.
And there you have it! You’ve successfully parboiled potatoes in just 10 easy steps. Use this method to enhance your cooking experience and create delicious, time-saving dishes. Enjoy!