Potatoes are the perfect winter comfort food, yet many people remain confused over which variety is best for which cooking method.
Here, Jo Pessios, of Adelaide Central Market store Cactus, offers some tried-and-tested recommendations and shares a favourite recipe for roasted potatoes in a red sauce.
Frying/chips: I would recommend brushed (dirty) potatoes or Premium White Potatoes … sometimes referred to as Coliban variety.
Mashing: Kestral (purple eyes) and Premium White Potatoes.
Boiling: Kipfler.
Baking: Dutch Cream and King Edward (both of these varieties have a creamy flavour and yellow flesh colour). Another option is Belita.
Potato salad: Desiree – they hold form well once boiled.
What is your own favourite variety?
My favourites are Kestral or Belita. The Belita have a nice yellow flesh and are prefect for keeping down the carbs, as they are a low-GI potato. Kestrals are delicious as well and are an excellent all-rounder.
How much can shoppers expect to pay for potatoes at the market during June?
Prices currently range from $2.99 to $6.99 per kilo for premium first-grade quality.
And your favourite potato dish?
Having a European background, my favourite potato dish is roasted potatoes in a red sauce.
Ingredients
12 Belita potatoes
1 large brown onion
1 peeled clove of garlic
1/2 teaspoon red paprika
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
750ml tomato puree or homemade tomato sauce
Method
Simply peel your Belita potatoes and cut them into thick finger-like quarters.
In an oven tray on your stovetop, place 1 finely chopped brown onion, crushed garlic clove and olive oil (enough to cover the onions generously) to fry.
Making sure the onion and garlic are lightly browned, add your bottle of tomato sauce and continue to cook on stove.
Just as it starts to reach boiling point, add your cut potato pieces to the sauce. Add the salt, pepper and red paprika to the tray, ensuring the sauce is evenly spread all over the potatoes.
Place the tray into the oven and cook for at least 45 minutes at 200C or test the potatoes, ensuring the fork is removed clean. You can serve with your favourite meat.
