Think potatoes are only America’s favorite vegetable? — Think again! — The potato is such an important food globally that the United Nations has declared 2008 the “International Year of the Potato.” Citing the potato’s strong nutrition profile, versatility and ability to feed the masses, the year has noble goals. Jacques Diouf, the Director-General of the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the “potato is on the front line in the fight against world hunger and poverty.”
According to the FAO, the world will need to increase food production by about 60 percent to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population. The potato is crucial to meeting this challenge because it’s fast-growing and nutritious. One medium (5.3 ounces) potato contains 110 calories, 45 percent of the daily value of vitamin C, essential B vitamins and 2 grams of fiber. Potatoes contain no fat, cholesterol or sodium, and skin-on potatoes are a good source of potassium.
Potatoes are grown in all 50 United States and have historical significance in the Peruvian mountains, the plains of Northern Europe, China’s Yunnan plateau, Rwanda’s equatorial highlands and the subtropical lowlands in India. Try preparing a potato dish from another country to see how other cultures include this vegetable in their cuisines.
For additional potato recipes, visit www.potatogoodness.com. Better yet, have seasonal recipes sent to you throughout the year by signing up to receive postings from the U.S. Potato Board’s blog, www.potatounderground.com.
Red Cooking Pork and Potatoes
“Red cooking” is a traditional Chinese braise, a stew that used to be made with unfiltered soy sauce, which can take on a reddish cast when long-stewed.
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
6 tablespoons dry sherry
1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup minced, peeled fresh ginger
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
1 tablespoon honey
2 1/4 pounds boneless pork loin, trimmed and cut into
1-inch cubes
2 pounds very small yellow-fleshed potatoes, halved
9 medium scallions, cut into
2-inch strips
2 serrano chiles, seeded and minced
3 garlic cloves, slivered
3 star anise pods
3 4-inch cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 1/2 pounds Swiss chard, mustard greens or turnip, greens, rinsed (but not dried) and chopped
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
Stir broth, soy sauce, ginger, sherry, orange zest and honey in large pot until honey dissolves. Add pork, potatoes, scallions, chiles, garlic, star anise and cinnamon sticks. Stir well and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer slowly until pork is meltingly tender, stirring occasionally, about 2 hours. (Alternatively, stir all these ingredients in slow cooker, cover and cook on low about 8 to 9 hours.)
Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add greens and vinegar. Cover, reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted and tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Cover and keep warm on stove.
To serve, first discard star anise pods and cinnamon sticks. Divide greens among serving bowls, then ladle stew over greens.
Makes 6 servings.
Nutrition information per serving: 424 calories, 10 g fat, 110 mg cholesterol, 40 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 44 g protein, 846 mg sodium, 1239 mg potassium, 82 mg vitamin C.
Irish Potato Bread
Boxty is practically a national dish in Ireland. It can be served as a potato pancake, a dumpling or, as here, in a crunchy soda bread.
2 3/4-pound russet potatoes
1 large egg plus 1 large egg white
1/3 cup canola oil, plus additional for greasing the baking sheet
3/4 cup fat-free milk
2 tablespoons minced chives (or the green part of a scallion)
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting and kneading
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Bring 1 inch water to a boil over high heat in vegetable steamer or large saucepan fitted with portable vegetable steamer. Peel 1 potato and cut into eighths; steam pieces until tender when pierced with fork, about 15 minutes. Rice or mash pieces in large bowl; set aside to cool 15 minutes.
Position rack in center of oven; preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly oil large baking sheet with canola oil dabbed on paper towel.
Peel other potato and grate it through large holes of box grater. Squeeze out any excess moisture; add to riced or mashed potatoes.
Stir in egg, egg white, oil, milk, chives and caraway seeds until fairly smooth. Add 3 1/4 cups flour, baking powder and salt; stir with wooden spoon until mixture forms soft but sticky dough.
Lightly flour clean work surface as well as your cleaned and dried hands. Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead 1 minute, adding flour in 1-tablespoon increments to keep dough from turning too sticky. Too much flour and dough turns tough; it should remain a little tacky but workable. Shape into 8-inch circle, flatten slightly keeping loaf mounded at its center and place on prepared baking sheet. Use sharp knife to slash X in top of dough, cutting into dough about 1/2 inch.
Bake until golden brown and firm to the touch , about 55 minutes. Cool 1 hour on wire rack before slicing and serving.
Makes 1 large loaf (16 slices).
Nutrition information per slice: 183 calories, 5 g fat, 14 mg cholesterol, 298 mg sodium, 30 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 5 g protein, 222 mg potassium, 6 mg vitamin C
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