What is the easiest source of carbohydrates? To make wheat based products you must grow a LOT of wheat, then harvest it, thresh it, grind it, and on and on. But to get the same amount of food from a potato, all you have to do is dig it up, clean it off, and throw it in the oven! Potatoes are truly a wonder food! Potatoes may get a bad rap with today’s diet-crazed public. Some say that because they are high in starch and loaded with carbs that they have a hand in society’s obesity problem. But when you keep the skins on and avoid deep frying them, they are a nutritious addition to your diet! And like anything else moderation is key. Below are some awesome (and frugal) recipes: Homemade Hashbrowns for breakfast and Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes for dinner!
Homemade Hashbrowns (Serves 2)
Nothing completes a great breakfast like crispy, hot, homemade hashbrowns! It’s so simple to make your own hashbrowns fresh from scratch. They will taste better than any store bought frozen product!
2 red potatoes
2 tablespoons oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1) Shred the potatoes and squeeze out as much of the water as possiple. Lay them on a dish towel to make sure they are totally dry.
2) Heat a large skillet on medium heat and add one tablespoon of oil. Cook the potatoes for 5-7 minutes or until they are crisp and golden.
3) Flip the hashbrowns and add the other tablespoon of oil.
4) Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper.
5) Cook for about 5 more minutes until each side is golden.
And you’re done! This is the simplest base version of hashbrowns. If you would like additional flavors add different ingredients such as bell pepper, onion, or cayenne to spice it up!
Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes (Serves 6)
Mashed potatoes are a hit at any meal! Try this cream cheese recipe for a little twist on a classic dish.
2 1/2 lbs small red potatoes
1/2 cup half & half (or whole milk)
8 oz plain cream cheese cut into pieces
10 chives chopped
1) Boil potatoes until tender (about 15 minutes).
2) Once tender drain and return them to the hot pot and let them dry off.
3) Mash potatoes with half & half with a potato masher. Add cream cheese and smash until the cream cheese is completely melted into the potatoes.
4) Add chives and season to taste.
While the mashed potato recipe adds cream cheese (which adds a few calories) both recipes kept the potato skins on. This is the most nutritional part of the tuber – try incorporating it into your recipes!
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