I have never worked in a professional kitchen, but I have had relations with several people who have, and I’ve enjoyed a few brief glimpses into that world. These glimpses were rendered somewhat blurry by shift drinks, but the thing that blew my mind was how much prep work it took to run a restaurant. Beyond the chopping and slicing and dicing, I was floored by how much food was either partially or completely cooked before anyone even orders it.
But the slicing and dicing was pretty important too. If you’ve ever been charged with making a lot of mashed potatoes, you probably noticed that the peeling and cubing can take a while. Luckily, you can prep your spuds 24 hours in advance, without sacrificing flavor or texture.
If you’ll be cooking the potatoes in the next few hours, you can leave them submerged in water at room temperature, Tiess says. If it will be longer than a few hours, place them in the refrigerator. Peeled, sliced, submerged, and refrigerated potatoes should be cooked within 24 hours.
How to prepare potatoes like a prep cook
If you were to peel and chop some potatoes, place them in a bowl or other vessel, then cover them and store them in the fridge, you would be displeased with the results. Potato flesh oxidizes when exposed to oxygen, and even a so-called “air-tight” container will have some oxygen-rich air hanging around inside of it. Rather than trying to suck out the air, all you have to do is displace it with water. Just place the potatoes in whatever container you wish to store them in, then add enough water to cover them completely, then cover them with an air-tight lid. Don’t let any corners peak out above the water line, as doing so will expose them to oxygen and cause them to brown.
How to Store a Pre Cut Potato
FAQ
How far in advance can I peel potatoes?
How long can peeled potatoes sit in water before cooking?
What happens when you soak potatoes in salt water overnight?
Should you wet potatoes before peeling?
Can you cook peeled potatoes ahead of time?
While you can prepare peeled potatoes ahead of time, it’s important to realize there are some caveats. For instance, this process works exceptionally well for whole or larger cubed potatoes — but not so well for shredded or finely cut potatoes. The larger the potato pieces, the longer they can hang out in water.
Should one have potatoes every day?
It depends, as it is a good source of carbohydrate. If the person is making a control in the consumption of carbohydrates, he should eat in moderation, that is, not somatising with other foods that are sources of carbohydrate. Like, macaroni and potatoes, ends up with a high load.
Should you peel potatoes before cooking?
It is recommended to peel potatoes right before cooking them to prevent them from turning brown due to exposure to air. However, you can peel them up to a day ahead of time if you keep them submerged in cold water in the refrigerator. The potatoes should be fully covered with water and changed periodically to prevent bacterial growth.
Should you boil potatoes before peeling?
Peel with ease. Pull away at wherever the skin has begun to peel, or use a paring knife to slip the skin open. The rest of the skin should slide off easily. Boiling potatoes before you peel them has other benefits, too.