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Thursday, September 18, 2014

How to Make Fried Potatoes as Good as Granddad's

No, I am not yet the expert he is and he may have a different process but this is the best I have figured out.

Rule #1: get the right kind of potatoes
 This is the one I haven't figured out yet. Some kinds are waxy, some are mealy, some keep their shape, some mush, some are dense or starchy and each one has a different flavor. I do know that even the right kinds turn out different each year. Our garden was all potatoes for the first time this summer and I think they turned out pretty good.

Rule #2: boil the potatoes the day before
Let them cool and put them in the fridge. Next morning is the easiest time to peal them if you want to. The kind of potato matters here too, some have thick or bitter peals, some taste ok. Cut them in small cubes which don't smush as much as slices.

Rule #3: use well seasoned cast iron
Non-stick can work but it won't give a good flavor. With steal or aluminum the crunchy, buttery part of fried potatoes will stick to the bottom unless you have a tall strong dad willing to stand there and scrape. Even then, you end up with crispies instead of hash browns.

Rule #4: don't crowd the potatoes
Use two pans if needed. You should not have more than a double layer. Less is better.

Rule #5: Use enough butter or oil

You can't see in the picture but it takes more than you think. If it starts sticking add more. A well seasoned skillet takes less. Salt and pepper to taste.

Rule #6: have patience!
This is the hardest one. You want them to be nicely browned before you flip them. I haven't counted but I would guess you don't need to flip more than 5 times. Flipping instead of stiring helps them not mush.

So there you have it. My favorite fried potatoes. They don't even need ketchup if done right and those of you who know me know that is saying something.

To try to bring you up to date

In other words a selection of Ann's pictures from the last month.




That's how my post was going to start. Unfortunately, our computer gave out just after I wrote that much. I can still post on the chromebook but no pics. Sorry. I do have a how-to post scheduled for tomorrow with some pictures.

Recently we went to the last No Greater Joy Shindig wich was lots of fun. You can read Annie's post about it here. We got to stay in a hotel on the way down, met new people while we were there, played lots of games, danced and were encouraged in our walk with the lord. One of the themes was missions.

Speaking of... guess what! I heard back from the midwifery school this morning. They said I was a likely candidate for the school but they were concerned with how little exposure I have had to foreign missions and midwifery. They suggested I get some more experience and re-apply for the August 2015 semester. So now I am looking around and trying to decide what would be a good place to "get my feet wet" so I won't be as overwhelmed when I get there.

Whoo Hoo! So exciting!

Quote of the Day

"Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it." --Erwin Lutzer