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Beginners Guide => Trainee Chefs / Beginners Questions => Topic started by: uclown2002 on March 07, 2013, 07:28 PM

Title: Pre-cooking Potatoes
Post by: uclown2002 on March 07, 2013, 07:28 PM
OK Newbie alert!

How long do you typically boil your potatoes for when pre-cooking for a saag aloo or bombay potato?

Heard the expressions until 'just cooked through' and 'until tender' are they one and the same thing? 

Don't want to overcook them but do not want them too hard in final dish.
Title: Re: Pre-cooking Potatoes
Post by: fried on March 07, 2013, 07:53 PM
I put them on to boil at maximum power, wait until they boil then leave for a few minutes then stop and rinse in cold water.

A bit vague, but it depends on how powerful your cooker is, what type of potatoes you use and how big the pieces. They bits should still have bite.

I prefer to undercook because you can always cook your final dish a bit longer.
Title: Re: Pre-cooking Potatoes
Post by: goncalo on March 07, 2013, 09:53 PM
Hi uclown,

I've tried 3-4 different methods. My favorite so far has been this one:
http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/topic,11535.msg88950.html#msg88950 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/topic,11535.msg88950.html#msg88950)

Title: Re: Pre-cooking Potatoes
Post by: uclown2002 on March 09, 2013, 04:36 PM
I put them on to boil at maximum power, wait until they boil then leave for a few minutes then stop and rinse in cold water.

A bit vague, but it depends on how powerful your cooker is, what type of potatoes you use and how big the pieces. They bits should still have bite.

I prefer to undercook because you can always cook your final dish a bit longer.

After rinsing with cold water, can you just leave them out until second stage?  Do they need to be covered in cold water and stored in the fridge if only for an hour or two?
Title: Re: Pre-cooking Potatoes
Post by: fried on March 09, 2013, 05:14 PM
I'd store them dry in the fridge. I've never tried but it should work the same as any potato salad although minus the oil. I wouldn't want to leave them standing in water.