How many potatoes do you eat in a year?

No you've all got it wrong! Spud is the name of a Jack Russell owned by my brother.

 

Spud is also the scarecrow in Bob the Builder.

 

Yep men do exegarete and never ask for directions.

 

One heck of a lot less than we did years ago

Pasta, rice, couscous has really wiggled its way into the menu plan in the past 20+ years. Especially couscous, which is only a boiled kettle away from a meal. But, I think that is also down to lifestyle. I think I cooked more potatoes before I began my academic journey I think potato consumption declined when I realised how versatile dried pasta was (and longer lasting) and I know potato consumption declined when the choice of pasta, rice and couscous increased.

Having said that, I made a potato cake for tonights dinner - something I haven't made in donkey's years! Mr Mum was in 7th heaven; our 2 aging teens were like: what is *that*!??

 

Pray tell, what is potato cake?

I know 'cheese and potato pie' from my school days. Basically mashed potato with cheese, onion and parsley in it.

 

I do feel a need to correct you there: mashed tats with cheese and onion (to me!) was: cheese, onion and potato "pie" (parsley was a luxury).

Pototo "cakes" are merely bubble without the "squeak". Or, in more simplistic terms (ask any other northener), mashed potato, fried, until a crust is formed. Add any seasoning for a basic potato cake; or, add onion and cheese for a "cheese, onion and potatoe pie" (yet, to be honest, it would be baked, not fried); or (from a NW point of view) add some mashed corned beef to the mashed potato and fry would form a "corned beef hash" (but, not from a NE point of view ) I'm a southerner, born and bred; but from Northern parentage and upbringing - just call me mongrel

Oooh, getting very "regional" here (or, "tribal", if you are of the middle eastern persuation )

 

Mum, your bubble and squeak is a bit posh for proper north east, just because you hint at a formula for it. Bubble and squeak to me is simply 'fry-up', the leftovers from sunday dinner fried up together

A hash also has no recipe or rules. Its just 'fry-up' mixed with a tin of baked beans and/or anything else you have lying around to make the leftovers into a big enough meal for whoever is present and hungry.

 

Flattened balls of mashed potato mixed with onion & grated cheese and fried is what Mrs Scrungee calls 'potato scones' which can be served for breakfast with a bowl of potato & garlic soup if we've got a shed full of potatoes to get through.

Then jacket potato for lunch, and something with potatoes for dinner. It's surprising how many you can get through.

 

Not to forget good old egg & chips!!!!

Val

 

*drooling*

 

Never got into couscous.

OK---Potatoe Cake ???


Here is how you make a "real" Potatoe Pancake. I am from Eastern European decent, so it is in my blood and on my hips. Make this often during the year. My dad always made a huge amount every Sunday for us.

Take some potatos, (raw) peel, and grate in a large bowl. Add 2-3 eggs depending on how many potatoes, about 5 potatoes of average size can handle 3 eggs. Grate some raw onion in it. Throw in salt and pepper add a tablespoon at a time flour (I changed to rice flour) either is fine, add the flour until a pancake like thickness. Then have some oil hot in a skillet. Large spoons of the batter on the hot oil, fry about a minute, turn then another minute--both sides should be golden brown. Serve with sour cream. some like a side of cooked apples. And of course some polish sausage is great with it.

You can also cube the potatoes and throw them in a food processor and continue, the batter then is finer, both are ok.

Sometime, I use up little left over veggies in this process, all goes in the processor and fry it up.

Now, there is sweet potatoe pancakes. Take a left over sweet potatoe throw in food processor, add eggs, milk, little sugar, some flour, fry it up. Serve with whatever on top. Added bananas once to it, came out great. Praline sauce is perfect for these.

I 've seen tiny potato pancakes made as a starter with caviar on top--interesting.

That's all.

 

Please come back Mum,
Jenny