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To Steam Potatoes

A simple method for steaming potatoes in boiling water.

From an old cookbook · modernised transcription
From a historical cookbook (Internet Archive) · 2 ingredients
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To Steam Potatoes

Ingredients

Directions

Prepare

  1. Peel the potatoes and place them in cold water to prevent browning.

Steam and serve

  1. Put the potatoes in a steamer over a saucepan of boiling water.

  2. Steam the potatoes for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on their size.

  3. Check for doneness by inserting a fork; they are done when the fork goes through easily.

  4. Remove the potatoes, dish them, and serve immediately.

Recipe from a historical cookbook (Internet Archive).

Transcribed from a scanned cookbook and modernised for today's kitchens. Where the book gave no heat or time, or said "a moderate oven", the temperatures and times here may be modern equivalents rather than the book's own figures.

Explore the science

What each ingredient does

Potatoes
Provide the starchy body of the dish; steaming cooks them gently while keeping them moist and tender.

The step that matters

Checking for doneness. Potato size varies widely, so cooking time is only a guide. Testing with a fork confirms the starch has softened through the center, which prevents serving undercooked, firm potatoes.

“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.

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