Frugal Friday - Uses for Potatoes

I live in Idaho where there are potatoes a-plenty! Chances are you get cheap potatoes where you live too. Potatoes are a staple of the frugal cook, they are cheap and have many uses. When we first got married and I wasn't as frugal as I am now, I always threw away potatoes because we couldn't eat them fast enough. I think I just didn't realize how many ways to cook a potato. Here are a few of our faves:

• Mashed - add salt, butter, and whatever else you want. We love to add green onions, cream cheese, or sour cream. Yum! Leftovers make a great additions to soups, shepherd's pie, or mashed potato hot dogs (split a hot dog, add mashed potatoes and cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted).
• Boiled - when I was a kid we always had boiled potatoes. When we got married my husband had never heard of it. Basically you peel the potatoes, quarter them, then boil until soft. Then you serve them either with butter and salt or with Beef Stroganoff.
• Oven Roasted - cut into cubes, toss with 1 tbsp oil and a packet of onion soup mix or other flavorings. Bake at 425 for about 40 minutes. Yummy. We had leftovers of these that we put into our omelets with ham and cheese. This was really good too.
• Baked - LOVE these. I have an "official" Idaho baked potato cookbook that says that you shouldn't wrap your potatoes in foil or add butter before baking. We have been just sticking them in the oven as is an they turn out great. We love to serve these as a main dish topped with broccoli and cheese or chili and cheese.
• Twice-Baked - Bake then scoop out the insides. Mash and add cheese, sour cream, green onions, and spices of your choice (love garlic). Put the mashed potatoes back into the potato skins, top with cheese and bake until the cheese melts. Yummy!


• Potato "Fans" - these are really good. Peel your potatoes, then cut in slices, but don't go all the way through. Spread with butter and sprinkle with your favorite spices. Bake about 45 minutes at 350, remove then cover with cheese and bake until the cheese is melted. This is so good.
• Fried - dice and add to a frying pan with about 1 Tbsp of oil. Saute until tender. Add onions, and Polish sausage. Yummy!
• Potato Soup - try a yummy Potato Cheese Soup recipe here.
  
  

The point is...potatoes are a very versatile vegetable. Arguably the most versatile and possibly the least expensive. I always feel like I can throw together a great dinner - as long as I have a few potatoes!