Recipes — Dried Potatoes

6 Delicious Potato Recipes That Aren't Just Fries

Let's be honest: We often take potatoes for granted. Perhaps it's because we can't think past fries or because low-carb diets are still a thing. No matter the reasoning, the humble spud often slips under our radar, which means we tend to miss out on a lot of flavors.

However, if there is a time to experiment with potatoes, that's in August. Between the summer potlucks and a National Potato Day⁽¹⁾ just yearning to be celebrated (FYI, it's on the 19th), the spuds are literally like a culinary canvas in your hands. So, if you want to explore your options and finally serve something other than fries at your next cookout, these six potato recipes are worth trying.

1. Creole Potato Salad

A staple at summer cookouts and potlucks, potato salad often fades into obscurity as a "basic" side dish. But, this southern twist on the classic doesn't leave much room for snubbing. Thanks to its fiery taste, eye-popping colors, and nose-tingling aroma, it's one of those sides that you simply can't ignore.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups dried potato dices
• 1/3 cup TVP bacon bits
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 tbsp creole/cajun seasoning
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, diced
• 1 spring onion, sliced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Add the potatoes to a pot and top with warm water. Let them soak for 15 minutes and then transfer the pan to the stove. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are cooked through.
2. Transfer to a bowl and set in the fridge for 20 minutes to chill.
3. Once cool, stir in all the ingredients and toss well until everything is evenly combined.

2. Mashed Potatoes with Goat Cheese & Bacon

Even though this potato recipe doesn't yield the most stunning presentation, it makes up for it in flavor – and it's all thanks to the chives and the bacon, which make the taste bolder. For a punchier taste, you could sub goat cheese with sour cream.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups dried potato dices
• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup goat cheese, crumbled
• 1/3 cup TVP bacon
• 1/3 cup dried chives
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Pour the potatoes in a pot and fill it with water. Let the bites soak for 15 minutes and, then, bring the water to a boil. Cook the potatoes until they are fork-tender. Using a sieve, strain them and, then, transfer them to a bowl.
2. Mash the potatoes with the back of a fork and stir in the ingredients until they are evenly combined. Serve immediately.

3. Potatoes Au Gratin

It's a fact: Even when they fly solo, potatoes are a hit. But, when they are paired with cheese and cream, there's zero chance they will ever disappoint. This potato recipe has the perfect ratio of Parmesan to spuds and will make even the pickiest of eaters ask for seconds.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups dried potato dices
• 2 ½ cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp salt
• ½ tsp dried garlic
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Add three cups of warm water to a bowl and soak the potatoes for 15 minutes.
2. Once hydrated, toss them in a bowl and season with the thyme, salt, garlic, and pepper.
3. Transfer half of them to a medium-sized baking dish and coat them with half the cheese and half the cream.
4. Then, top with the remaining potatoes and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and cream.
5. Preheat the oven to 350^oF and bake for an hour or until the spuds are cooked through.

4. Old Bay Roasted Potato Bites

If there's one ingredient that can turn potatoes from bland to delicious, that's herbs and spices. And sure, rubbing them with pepper and oregano surely does the trick, but if you're in for the ultimate flavor bang, Old Bay Seasoning is where it's at. This recipe puts the blend to great use and features the spud in mini bites that are perfect for kids.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups dried potato dices
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 ½ tbsp Old Bay seasoning
• Salt, to taste

Directions:

1. Place the potato bites to a bowl with 3 cups of warm water and soak for 15 minutes.
2. Once hydrated, squeeze them to remove excess liquid and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Preheat the oven to 480^oF.
4. Toss the potatoes with the olive oil, seasoning, and salt (if needed).
5. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.
6. Serve with aioli or any kind of creamy sauce.

5. Honey BBQ Potato + Chicken Foil Packet

We get it: you are no Gordon Ramsay. Yet, you really want to whip up something delicious (and slightly fancy) for National Potato Day. In this case, foil packets are impossible to mess up. This summery version has all the cookout fixins, from honey BBQ sauce to roasted veggies. So, bon appetit!

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• 3 cups dried potato dices
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp canned sweetcorn
• ½ small onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp dried red bell pepper
• 3 tbsp freeze dried broccoli
• ¼ cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, add the bell pepper, broccoli, and potatoes and top with warm water. Let the veggies soak for 15 minutes.
2. Turn on the oven grill to medium heat. Cut two large squares of aluminum foil and place one chicken breast in each. Then, split the vegetables and put them in each packet.
3. In a small bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, honey, vinegar, and paprika. Brush the contents of each pack with the sauce, especially the chicken and the potatoes.
4. Seal the packet from the sides to close it off and grill for 15 minutes. Then, flip over the contents and grill for an additional 15 minutes.

6. Cheesy Chipotle Latkes

If you thought latkes were only for Hannukah, think again. These potato-based treats taste amazing year-round, especially when you pair them with crowd-pleasing ingredients like chipotle and Cheddar cheese. This twist can also stand on its own as lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried potato dices
• ¼ cup dried onion
• ½ tsp dried garlic
• 1/3 cup Cheddar cheese
• 1 chipotle chile
• 1 tsp adobo sauce
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Add the potatoes and onion to a bowl with 2 cups of warm water and soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, remove them from the water and grate them, squeezing away any excess liquid.
2. Transfer them to a big bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients until you form a thick-ish batter.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Form small balls of the mixture with your hands, place them in the skillet, flatten them with a spatula, and fry them on both sides until they turn brown and crisp.

How will you celebrate National Potato Day? Do you have any original potato recipes that you'd like to share with us? Let us know in the comments below!

References:

1. https://nationaltoday.com/national-potato-day/
2. https://12tomatoes.com/creamy-creole-potato-salad/
3. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/sour-cream-mashed-potatoes-with-bacon-and-chives-5340887
4. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/simple-au-gratin-potatoes/
5. https://www.cooksmarts.com/articles/crispy-oven-roasted-potatoes-with-old-bay-recipe/
6. https://therecipecritic.com/grilled-honey-barbecue-chicken-foil-packets/
7. https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chipotle-cheddar-potato-latkes/