Potatoes are a versatile and beloved staple in India and many cuisines around the world, from crispy fries and mashed potatoes to aloo rasedar, aloo matar and more. However, one common issue when cooking potatoes is the time it takes to cook them thoroughly. If you are in a rush or simply looking for ways to speed up your meal preparation, there are several practical tips to help you cook potatoes faster without compromising on taste or texture. Yes, you can cook your potatoes in half the time and prepare your meal in minutes. Too good to be true? Try these cooking hacks yourself to believe it.
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Here Are 9 Ways To Cook Potatoes Faster:
1. Cut Potatoes Into Smaller Pieces
One of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce cooking time is by cutting your potatoes into smaller pieces. The smaller the pieces, the faster they cook. For example, instead of boiling whole potatoes, chop them into cubes or wedges. Smaller pieces have more surface area, allowing heat to penetrate faster, and speeding up the cooking process.
If you’re making mashed potatoes, consider chopping them into smaller, even pieces. This helps them cook more evenly and reduces the overall boiling time.
2. Use a Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot
A pressure cooker or Instant Pot can drastically reduce cooking time. These appliances use high pressure to cook food faster, and they work wonders with potatoes. In just a few minutes, you can cook potatoes that would otherwise take 20 to 30 minutes on the stovetop.
To cook potatoes in a pressure cooker, peel them (if you wish) and cut them into even-sized pieces. Add a small amount of water (around 1 cup) and cook under pressure for about 5-7 minutes for diced potatoes or 10-12 minutes for whole potatoes, depending on their size. The result will be tender, perfectly cooked potatoes in a fraction of the time.
3. Microwave Them
The microwave is an excellent tool for speeding up the cooking process. If you’re cooking whole potatoes, simply pierce them with a fork several times to allow steam to escape, then place them on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 4-5 minutes per potato, checking for doneness. If needed, turn the potato halfway through cooking.
For smaller pieces, such as diced potatoes, the microwave can cook them in 3-4 minutes. Just toss them in a microwave-safe bowl, cover them with a damp paper towel, and cook on high, stirring halfway through.
4. Boil in Hot Water, Not Cold
When boiling potatoes, always start with hot water instead of cold. Adding potatoes to cold water and then heating them up can significantly increase the cooking time. By starting with water that’s already boiling, the potatoes will begin cooking immediately, reducing the time needed to reach a soft, tender texture.
For faster results, use a kettle to bring water to a boil before adding it to the pot. This ensures that the cooking process begins immediately, helping your potatoes cook faster.
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Boiling potatoes in hot water is better.
Photo Credit: iStock
5. Parboil Potatoes Before Roasting or Frying
If you plan to roast or fry your potatoes, parboiling (partially boiling) them first can cut down the cooking time dramatically. To parboil, simply add peeled and chopped potatoes to a pot of boiling water and cook for 5-7 minutes, just until they’re slightly tender but not fully cooked.
Once parboiled, drain the potatoes and proceed with roasting or frying. This will significantly speed up the process, as the potatoes are already partially cooked.
6. Use a Shallow Pan for Roasting
When roasting potatoes, the size and shape of the pan you use can make a big difference in cooking time. Using a shallow pan allows the potatoes to be spread out in a single layer, ensuring that they cook evenly and faster. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can trap steam and slow down the roasting process.
Additionally, make sure the pan is preheated before adding the potatoes. The high heat will immediately start cooking them, speeding up the roasting time.
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7. Cover When Boiling or Steaming
When boiling or steaming potatoes, covering the pot with a lid helps trap the steam, creating a higher-pressure environment inside the pot that cooks the potatoes more quickly. This reduces cooking time by several minutes, especially when compared to cooking with the lid off.
Additionally, ensure that your pot has enough water or steam to prevent burning and sticking. A good rule of thumb is to use just enough water to cover the potatoes, allowing the steam to circulate and cook them evenly.
8. Choose the Right Potato for the Job
The type of potato you use can impact cooking time. Waxy potatoes, such as red potatoes or new potatoes, hold their shape better during cooking, making them ideal for roasting or boiling. Starchy potatoes, like russets, break down more easily and may cook faster when mashed or used in soups, but they tend to take longer to cook when roasted or boiled.
If you’re in a hurry, consider using new potatoes or small potatoes, as they cook faster due to their size and waxy texture.
9. Preheat the Oven for Roasting
If you’re roasting potatoes, make sure to preheat the oven. Putting potatoes in a cold oven will increase their cooking time. For faster roasting, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and place the potatoes in immediately. If they are cut into smaller pieces, they’ll roast in about 25-30 minutes, but if whole, expect closer to 40 minutes.
Whether you’re using a pressure cooker, microwave, or simply chopping them into smaller pieces, these strategies will help you whip up potato dishes in no time, making meal prep smoother and quicker. Happy cooking!
