I have written quite a few blog posts featuring our favorite pantry staple. US Potatoes are something that we eat as much as three to four times a week. We can have them scalloped, fried, baked, mixed into a stew, mashed and used to thicken soups, and sometimes, I even enjoy them boiled, cold from the fridge with a little sea salt sprinkled on top.
In our backyard on Baywood Drive during one of the many celebrations
In fact, when I was a kid living on Baywood Drive, a few doors down from my cousins, there were a few things we would look for when we needed to refuel quickly and run back out the door to play with the kids from the neighborhood.
CHILDHOOD SNACKING
We would have boiled potatoes and hard boiled eggs in the fridge all the time. It was the ultimate grab and go snack for a kid who had things to do, trees to climb, hoses to drink from, and people to see.
SO MANY BENEFITS
Still loving potatoes, I have figured out many ways to creatively serve this root crop to my family that has a ton of nutritional benefits.
The Potatoes USA Team was so helpful and knowledgeable.
Here are just a few of the rewards that you can expect to reap when you eat Potatoes from the United States:
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B1
- Potassium
- Magnesium, Zinc and Copper
- Folic Acid
- Fiber
- Carbohydrate Rich
FUN WITH FRIENDS IN THE KITCHEN
And because I am always excited to learn new things in the kitchen with some of my momma friends, I couldn’t wait to spend some time in MIHCA Mandaluyong with Chef Rosebud Benitez.
Loved getting in the kitchen AGAIN with Chef Rosebud! It’s been way too long!
Thankfully, Nino and Gia were there to help me document, so you are all in for a real treat with the photos that they took.
Thanks to these two, I didn’t have to shoot so many photos. They did all the work for me. Plus, their shots are way better than mine.
I’m always grateful for their help (and their eyes) to see the shots that I just don’t think of when I’m in the thick of it.
I think everyone had a great time. I know we all learned something new.
Chef walking us through all the recipes one by one.
I learned how to use dehydrated potatoes, because I have never used them before.
CONFESSION:
I HAVE NEVER USED DEHYDRATED POTATOES IN MY KITCHEN.
Yes! This is the truth!
And it was absolutely liberating to know that you can have a bag or a box of deyhdrated potatoes in the pantry at all times for a quick fix when you need truffle mash!!! This is perfect for the nights when I’m short on time. All I have to do is rehydrate with a 3:1 ratio.
So glad that I get to hang with my co-parents in this situation. It’s another way for us to bond. Plus we get to learn new recipes for our kiddos to enjoy!
EASY TO PREPARE
So what does the 3:1 ratio mean? That means for every cup of dehydrated mashed potatoes, you need three cups of a liquid. You can use milk, hot water, cream, or a combination of any of these liquids depending on what you’re preparing. You can even use chicken or vegetable stock, too!
So happy to spend time with these lovely ladies! From L-R: Mommy Berlin, Tweensel Mom, The Tipid Mommy, Mommy Dhess, and Mrs. Nero Diaries
MOMMAS ON A MISSION
Because this cooking class was really open to mommas who liked to be in the kitchen, I was able to ask some of my friends and some of my followers to join us as we learned some new creative ways to play with our potatoes when feeding our families.
Love this Momma and how our friendship is a constant.
So, after we learned about the benefits of eating potatoes from country representative Reji Retugal-Onal, in our classroom setting, we were sent downstairs to the kitchen for some hands on learning.
Reji Retugal-Ongal, country representative from Potatoes USA, shares all the benefits to incorporating US Potatoes into our diet.
LEARNING FROM THE EXPERT
Chef Rosebud showed everyone the recipes she formulated especially for the class and I was already thinking how I couldn’t wait to try the same things at home.
I think my favorite of the day was the potato crusted salmon using shredded frozen potatoes. This dish is best made in a non-stick pan. I can totally see variations of this in my head depending on what I’m craving.
It can be made with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella, if I’m feeling Italian. Or kalamata olives and fresh tomatoes with feta cheese if I’m feeling a little Greek. Or just even keeping it as it is, when we have fresh mangoes or pineapple in the house.
Northern Mums and Bubs in attendance: L-R: Jenny, Shula, Iam, Roma, moi, and Lara
Chef Rosebud also taught us a different take on a breakfast casserole.
I usually make this savory french toast casserole (been making it every year for the kids) on Christmas Eve, so I can pop it in the oven on Christmas Day when the kids are opening presents from Santa and I do not feel like cooking. It’s the perfect mix of sausage, cheese, eggs, and bread. By preparing it the night before, you give the bread a chance to sop up all that goodness.
Tweensel Mom and Mrs. Nero Diaries are definitely enjoying the process here!
I bet it would be nice to try and make our Christmas Morning Casserole with hashbrowns instead of bread, too.
POTATOES WITH A TWIST
The biggest surprise for me of the day, was the Chocolate Truffles.
MINDBLOWN
GUYS. These bad boys have dehydrated potatoes mixed in!!
I was shocked.
Who would have thought?
And because the folks over at Potatoes USA are super generous, we were able to get two sets of cookbooks! This means I can share one set with one of you!
You can win all these goodies by leaving a comment on this post about what your favorite potato dish is, and your instagram handle so I can contact you!
All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post!
- Make sure to include your Instagram handle so I can contact you to tell you that you have won.
- Make sure you tell me your favorite potato dish or your favorite dish that has potatoes in it!
I will choose the winner on November 15th and will message you through Instagram!
Potatoes USA
https://web.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines/
Click here to find out how you can win an all expense paid trip to Boracay!
My kids are potato monsters!
We love US Potatoes any which way we can have them. Did you know that the Philippines is the largest consumer of US Potatoes in Southeast Asia? (It’s because of the happy hornet!)
I can’t imagine life without potatoes!
I love my mom’s mechado and menudo mostly because she puts lots of potato! Eating at fast food ain’t complete without an order of fries. And I will trade my rice to a hearty mashed potato serving, always! I recently found out that potatoes can be added to a recipe of pandesal, can’t wait to try that! 😁 IG: @ihleynaz
Yes! I too, didn’t know you can add potatoes to baked goods! I was shocked. And admittedly, I would choose potatoes over rice for regular run of the mill meals. Baked Chicken, Stuffed Pork Chops, Steak, Grilled fish. Thanks for stopping by Shellanie!