Boiling potatoes can be time-consuming, but there’s a brilliant trick that can significantly speed up the process. Here’s a method to boil your potatoes twice as fast:
The Trick: Cutting and Preheating
What You Need
- Potatoes
- A pot with a lid
- Water
- Salt (optional)
Steps to Boil Potatoes Twice as Fast
- Cut the Potatoes:
- Cut the potatoes into smaller pieces, such as halves or quarters. The smaller the pieces, the faster they will cook. For example, cutting a potato into 1-inch cubes will boil much faster than leaving it whole.
- Preheat the Water:
- Instead of starting with cold water, use hot water from the tap or preheat the water in a kettle. Boiling water before adding the potatoes can cut down the cooking time significantly.
- Add Salt to the Water (Optional):
- Adding salt to the water can help it boil at a higher temperature, which can speed up the cooking process slightly and add flavor to the potatoes.
- Cover the Pot:
- Covering the pot with a lid traps steam and increases the temperature inside the pot, making the potatoes cook faster.
- Boil the Potatoes:
- Place the cut potatoes into the boiling water. The smaller pieces should cook much faster, typically in about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces.
- Check for Doneness:
- To check if the potatoes are done, pierce them with a fork. They should be tender and easily pierced when fully cooked.
By using these methods, you can significantly reduce the time it takes to boil potatoes. Cutting them into smaller pieces and starting with preheated water are the key steps to achieving this.
Additional Tips
- Uniform Size: Ensure that all potato pieces are of uniform size so that they cook evenly.
- Boil at a Rolling Boil: Maintain a rolling boil to keep the cooking process efficient.
- Start with Hot Water: Using hot water from the beginning shortens the time it takes for the water to return to a boil after adding the potatoes.
By following these tips, you can enjoy perfectly boiled potatoes in a fraction of the usual time!
