Little potatoes or Creamer potatoes are the perfect sizes for a side dish – and they’re even better when cooked in the microwave. These little spuds are just the right size to absorb all the delicious flavors of your favorite seasonings, and they cook up in a snap. Plus, there’s no need to pre-wash or peel them – just pop them in the microwave and enjoy.
In this article, I’ll answer all your questions about cooking little potatoes in the microwave and provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to do it. I’ll also provide some tips on storage and alternative cooking methods, as well as five tasty recipes you can make with little potatoes.
Can You Cook Little Potatoes in the Microwave?
Cooking potatoes in the microwave is a quick, easy, and convenient way to prepare this popular vegetable. With this method of cooking, the potatoes can be cooked in just minutes, allowing for speedy meal preparation.
Microwaving also tends to preserve more of the potato’s nutrients than other cooking methods since there’s less time spent on heating up the food. It is also a great way to get the potatoes to have a nice fluffiness without adding too much oil or butter, making it an ideal option for those trying to cut down on their fat intake.
However, while microwaving is a great way to cook potatoes quickly and easily, some argue that using other methods can result in better flavor and texture. Boiling potatoes in salted water before roasting them with herbs or spices can provide an even more flavorful outcome.
Alternatively, sautéing or stir-frying cubed potatoes with onions, garlic, and seasoning will help bring out the natural sweetness of the potato as well as add extra flavor. If you are looking for added crispness and crunch then baking or roasting potatoes in the oven will give you this desired effect.
When it comes down to comparing cooking potatoes in the microwave versus any other method there are pros and cons to both approaches. Microwaving provides convenience and speed but may not always yield the best textures or flavors.
On the other hand others methods such as boiling, sautéing, and baking/roasting require more time but may produce better tasting results depending on what specific flavors you are looking for in your dish.
Ultimately it just depends on your particular needs when deciding which method works best for you – whether you’re looking for fast meals that still taste great or if you’re willing to take some extra time in prepping your ingredients for even better results!
Is It Safe to Cook Little Potatoes in the Microwave?
It is generally safe to cook small potatoes in the microwave, but there are a few key things to keep in mind when doing so.
First and foremost, it is important to use microwave-safe containers for cooking your potatoes. Many food containers cannot be used in the microwave because they are not designed for this purpose and may contain toxic materials that can leach into your food while it cooks.
When microwaving small potatoes, you also do not need to prick them with a fork like you would russet potatoes. This is because they have more surface area and are much less likely to explode in the microwave.
Finally, it is important to remember that microwaving can cause foods to dry out quickly due to their high heat levels. Make sure to check your potatoes regularly while cooking and add a few tablespoons of water if they start looking too dry. This will help prevent your potatoes from drying out during the cooking process.
By following these simple tips, you can safely and easily cook small potatoes in the microwave. Now that you know how to do it, let’s move on to how long you should cook them and the basic steps for microwaving small potatoes.
How Long to Cook Little Potatoes in the Microwave?
The amount of time it takes to microwave little potatoes will depend on their size, the type of potato you are using and the power level of your microwave. Generally speaking, it should take about 4-5 minutes to cook 1.5 lbs of small potatoes in a 1000-watt microwave oven.
If this is the first time you are microwaving little potatoes, I recommend starting with a shorter cooking time and then adding more time as needed.
How to Cook Little Potatoes in the Microwave: Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to safely and easily cook little potatoes in the microwave.
- Place a whole little potato in a microwave-safe dish and arrange them in a single layer.
- Add a few tablespoons of water to the dish and cover it with a microwave-safe lid.
- Set your microwave oven to high power and cook for 4-5 minutes (or until tender).
- Check the potatoes for doneness by piercing them with a fork. If they are not tender, continue cooking in 30-second intervals until they are done.
- Once the potatoes are done cooking, carefully remove the dish from the microwave.
- Add seasonings or toppings as desired and enjoy!
When microwaving small potatoes, it is important to make sure that you do not overcrowd the dish. This will help ensure that all of the potatoes cook evenly. If you have too many potatoes in the dish, it’s better to cook them in multiple batches than to overcrowd the dish and risk unevenly cooked potatoes.
As for seasonings or toppings, the possibilities are endless! You could sprinkle some salt and pepper on your potatoes after they’re done cooking, or you could get creative and top your finished potatoes with some freshly chopped parsley or chives, a dollop of sour cream or butter, or even some freshly grated cheese.
How to Store Microwaved Little Potatoes
Storing cooked little potatoes is a simple process that requires just a few steps to ensure the potatoes maintain their flavor and texture. The key is to make sure the potatoes are cooled fully before storing them away. Here’s how it works:
First, remove the cooked potatoes from the microwave and allow them to cool. At this point, you can transfer them to the refrigerator. When storing cooked little potatoes in the refrigerator, it’s important to keep them in an airtight container so that no other flavors or odors can seep into your potato dish.
Be sure to use an appropriate size container for your quantity of potatoes; if the container is too big, your food could spoil faster due to too much air exposure. Refrigerator storage will help keep your potatoes fresh for up three days without losing any flavor or texture.
If you need longer-term storage of your cooked little potatoes, wrap them securely in plastic wrap then place them in an airtight container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to three months. When ready for use, thaw frozen cooked little potatoes overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as desired (such as baking or microwaving).
Grilling
Grilling Little Potatoes is an excellent way to add flavor while keeping them tender and juicy on the inside. To grill little potatoes, place them directly onto the hot grill grates and cook until they’re soft when pierced with a sharp knife. Season as desired before serving.
Steaming
Steaming is another great way to cook Little Potatoes without adding extra fat or calories. Simply place it in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover the pot, turn off the heat once the potatoes start to steam, then let them sit for around 10 minutes until tender. Once done, season as desired before serving.
Sautéing
Sautéing is another great option for cooking Little Potatoes that adds flavor and texture at the same time. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering then add your potatoes to it; season as desired with salt, pepper, garlic powder or other spices of choice.
Cook for about 8-10 minutes stirring occasionally until crisp on the outside but still tender on the inside; drain off any excess oil before serving.
Deep Frying
Deep frying Little Potatoes can be both delicious and indulgent! To deep fry potatoes start by preheating vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven.
Carefully drop potatoes into hot oil in batches making sure not to overcrowd them; deep fry for 4-5 minutes until golden brown then transfer to paper towels using tongs or a slotted spoon to drain off any excess oil before serving warm with your favorite dipping sauce!
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed this comprehensive guide to cooking Little Potatoes. Whether you decide to microwave, bake, grill, steam, sauté or deep fry them; I know you’ll love the final dish! Try different seasonings and toppings to truly make them your own. The possibilities are endless.
