Potatoes are one of the easiest things to have prepared for the week. I have found this to really help with simplifying dinner prep. Having the potatoes and the rice already cooked for most of the week will give you a bit of time back each night when cooking dinner for your family.
One tip is not to cook them too much, mostly white potatoes, as they just fall apart.
You can use your instant pot or a steamer on the stove for the white potatoes. The sweet potatoes I like to roast in the oven.
I find the instant pot works best because I tend to forget about them when they are on the stove (they take longer), and then I end up burning a pan after running out of water. This has happened to me more than once.
Prep:
Wash off a big bag of yellow or russet potatoes as well as a bag of sweet potatoes, and poke a few holes in each one.
Instant pot Method:
Pour one cup of water into the instant pot. Place metal steamer tray inside the pot. Place white or yellow potatoes on the tray and seal the instant pot. Make sure to have the valve closed.
Set the pressure cook timer for 7 minutes. Now this time can vary. If your potatoes are small, you may prefer 5 minutes, or if they are huge, you may choose 10 minutes. I find less is more. Release the valve when finished and uncover the pot.
I allow them to cool on a plate and then seal them in a glass Tupperware or a bag in the fridge for the week.
Stove:
Using a steamer tray in a pot with a lid, add several cups of water. Add potatoes and cover. Cook on medium-high until a fork only just pokes through them. Do not overcook!
Oven:
This is how we like to cook our sweet potatoes. I preheat the oven to 415 (or even 450). Add parchment to a baking tray or casserole pan. Lay the parchment down and place the sweet potatoes on, covering them with a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. I just use my hands to massage the oil in before adding the spices.
Bake for 1 hour or more. Check by poking a fork into the largest one. We prefer these really cooked.
When completely cooled, store them in glass or a bag sealed in the fridge for a week.
How do we reheat them?
Well, if you’re in a hurry, you could simply place them in the microwave, but here are our favorite methods.
Air Fry them! I cut them up into small bites and sprinkle a bit of olive oil or water. Add all-purpose seasoning (Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder), Then use the fry button and reheat until crispy. Maybe for 8 minutes!
Fry them on the stove! I add some chopped veggies like onions, mushrooms, peppers with some oil and give them a good saute for a few minutes. Then add some chopped up precooked yellow potatoes and fry them up! Your whole family will love this as a side or with breakfast as a hash.
Enjoy!
