To preserve the Idaho Potato's abundant nutrients, cook with the skins on whenever possible. And steam, rather than boil potatoes. Save the cooking water after steaming potatoes, as some of the potatoes' nutrients will have leaked into it. Use it to make gravies or bread, or to moisten mashed potatoes.

There are two grades of potatoes typically sold in food service, a #1 potato from Idaho comes packed in cartons and has less defects, a nice oval shape with few eyes. The #2 is commonly used in situations where the overall appearance is not as important such as freshly made French fries, mashed potatoes or hash browns. The #2 is packed in burlap bags, plastic or paper bags or can also be sourced in a one-piece box.

With the advent of the microwave, cooking potatoes has become much faster and more convenient. Many claim that the microwave actually bakes a more nutritious potato than a conventional oven, because the potato is exposed to nutrient-draining heat for a shorter period of time. Potatoes should be scrubbed, dried and pricked with a fork, then wrapped in a paper towel and placed one inch apart on a microwave rack. Cook according to your oven's guidelines, and turn potatoes once during cooking.

I purchased two boxes if Idaho potatoes and both bags were stale is there anything you can do about this problem.

Mashed potatoes have been an American favorite for decades. For best results when preparing mashed potatoes, place a quarter of a lemon in the cooking water to prevent potatoes from breaking up, and cook them in their skins to prevent water logging. After cooking, pull the skin from the end of the potato to remove it easily. While mashing, add warm milk to the potatoes gradually to gauge consistency; then add any other favorite condiments.

When boiling potatoes, it is best to leave the skin on while cooking--the potato will retain more nutrients and flavor. Skins can be removed as soon as the potato is cool enough to hold. Potatoes should be scrubbed before boiling, rather than soaked. Soaking potatoes in water can sap nutrients and flavor. To enrich the flavor of potatoes boil them in a favorite stock, or for a mild, sweet taste, boil in milk. Potatoes boiled in milk should be peeled thinly when cooled.

For conventional oven baking, the most common folly is to wrap the potato in aluminum foil. Covering the potato holds in moisture, steaming the potato. The result is a less crispy skin and the texture of a boiled potato. The best way to bake a potato is to scrub it, pierce the skin two or three times with a fork, and place the potato directly on the oven rack, at 450?F for 50 to 60 minutes.

When frying, the high solids content of Idaho Potatoes decreases oil absorption, guaranteeing crispier potatoes. In addition, Idaho Potatoes shrink less when fried and retain their shape better than moister potatoes. Before frying potatoes, rinse them in cold water to remove starch, which can cause the potatoes to stick together during the frying process. For crispier potatoes, soak the potatoes in salt water for several minutes before cooking.

What happens when you add an Idaho potato to a pressure cooker? You get the fastest, easiest, healthiest potato dishes in no time. Imagine mashed potatoes in seven minutes or crunchy topped potatoes in four minutes. A pressure cooker is the ideal cookware for preparing flavorful and healthful foods in record time with little or no fat. By sealing in foods inside the pressure cooker, steam pressure builds inside the pot and the temperature rises.

The potato or tuber is a storage organ that is developed from the swelling at the end of an underground stem. Potatoes that are harvested before they mature are often called "new potatoes" or "early potatoes." We chippers are always happy when the "new potatoes" crop comes in from Florida. "New potatoes" almost always are an appetizing soft golden color. These potatoes have a thin tender skin, which is easily rubbed off during harvesting and handling.

I want to find out how many/if there are any in my city (Boise, Idaho). I want to know if there are any regulations on placing them outdoors. I was also curious about the price to install them and make them functional in the winter. It really bothers me that the only public drinking fountains I look in my town are indoors. The population that really needs access to this water will often not be allowed into these businesses. I want to work to make water available for everyone.

Many patients with liver cancer have lost weight by the time they are diagnosed. However, to keep your body strong, it is important to maintain your weight before, during, and after therapy. Good nutrition helps minimize the side effects of treatment. Side effects from chemotherapy and surgery may affect your ability to eat and cause your body to need more calories than usual. Eating small, frequent meals (four or five a day) of a balanced diet will help maintain your weight and strength.

You can purchase a low carb potato mix. The best thing to do is replace potatoes with turnips, cauliflower, or squash. Because turnips do not have a strong taste of their own and have almost the same texture and consistency, they tend to pick up the flavor of whatever they are cooked with. Make Turnip Salad (previously Potato Salad), fry them as fries, or au graten style. They are also wonderful in soups and stews.

YES! Potatoes are a low calorie, fat and cholesterol free vegetable high in vitamin C, potassium and a good source of vitamin B6 and dietary fiber. Visit the nutrition section of www.healthypotato.com for more information.

NO! It's all those delicious toppings we use that add calories and fat. The potato contains zero fat and a 5.3-ounce potato is only 100 calories. Check out "Healthy Potato Consumer Recipe Brochure" nutrition pamphlet for some low-fat topping ideas.

No. The potato tuber, the part we eat, is not poisonous, however the potato plant is toxic. Green portions on the skin of the potato are also toxic.

Any other questions not answered here please contact the Food & Nutrition Services office at 915-779-4216

Small Idaho Potatoes are best for use in salads, while medium-sized Idaho Potatoes are quite versatile and can be used baked, mashed or fried. Large ones are ideal for French fries or the "meal-in-itself" baked potato.

No harm in eating the potatoes raw, but they may find them a little harder to digest than when cooked. Willard Scott, the famous NBC weatherman, does this all the time even making a point once to chomp down on an Idaho Potato on a harvest segment of the TODAY show a couple of years ago.

Probably baked with a squeeze of lemon, some salt and pepper. Topping the baked potato with salsa is also a good solution.

Potatoes are good for you, just watch what you put on them. Try salsa or steamed or saut?ed vegetables on a baked potato instead of butter and sour cream, watch the portion sizes on those fries. A medium potato has 26 grams of carbs, 3 grams of sugar. Here is the link to the nutrition information from our web site: Click Here. The sprouts that form after a potato sits for a while are not poisonous, its just the potato trying to replant itself.

Once mashed they can be frozen but will typically oxidize or turn gray in a matter of days. To help prevent this, add a small amount (tablespoon) of white vinegar or concentrated lemon juice to the mixture once cooked.

Before storing spuds, look them over and use any bruised ones first. Since dampness can cause decay, it is best not to wash spuds before storing.

Store Idaho Potatoes in a cool, dark and well ventilated place. They will keep about a week at room temperature and for several weeks at 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, refrigerator temperatures are too low, which converts the potato's starch into sugar, resulting in a sweet taste. The extra sugar also causes potatoes to darken prematurely while frying. (This process can sometimes be reversed by storing the potatoes at room temperature for a week to 10 days.

If the potatoes were stored too cold (below 40 degrees F) then they can turn black. Could also have black bruising from being handled (dropped) when cold.

The greening is exposure to light. This can happen in the fields, or if out on display in the grocery store. This greening tastes bitter so just peel away before cooking.

Fingerlings are similar to your own fingers. They are known for their firm, waxy, flavor texture. They are typically 1 to 2 inches in diameter and 2 to 4 inches long.