What You Should Know About Dehydrated Potatoes
Dehydrated potatoes are basically the same as instant potatoes, and this latter term is more familiar to you. If you are like thousands of other USA citizens, you purchase dehydrated potatoes on a constant basis and frequently use them in your cooking.
Think about how many times you have gone to the local greengrocer to buy dehydrated potatoes. Once a week? Twice a month? In those times that you have caught a pack that says “Instant Potatoes,” have you checked the package for the list of ingredients contained in the pack? The next time you go out to purchase your favourite brand of dehydrated potatoes, you should try taking a look at the list of ingredients. You might be in for a shock.
Actually, we have done that to one of the less expensive types of dehydrated products – check out its ingredients, that is. We went to our local Aldi’s and grabbed a box of “Great Value Instant Potatoes.” You would expect the package to contain potatoes, and nothing else right? Of course, it’s just instant potatoes, so what else should be in there?
Here is a listing of the ingredients that are actually included in the pack of dehydrated potatoes:
– potato (you would truly be surprised if this wasn’t included )
– monocerides (these are fats )
– diglycerides ( another sort of fats )
– sodium acid pyrophosphate ( this is really a chemical employed in electroplating )
– sodium metabisulfate ( this chemical is used with antioxidants )
– citric acid ( a weak acid used for flavoring)
– BHT or butylated hydroxytoluene ( a fat and oil antioxidant which has been quite questionable in the food-processing industry )
Out of all these listed ingredients, the only one that actually has business being in a pack of dehydrated potatoes is the potato itself. So what are all the other stuff doing in there? Just seeing the quantity of chemicals involved in making dehydrated potatoes will make you wish to think carefully about purchasing them again.
You do have the choice of making your own dehydrated potatoes. You may be sure that there are no harmful chemicals added, and you can also have a nice time making them. The method is fairly simple, and you can turn it into a fun activity for the family, particularly if you have youngsters around. For more info see http://www.dehydratedfoodguide.com/Articles/Dehydrated_Mushroom.php on Dehydrated Mushroom.
When making dehydrated potatoes at home, just follow these straightforward steps:
1. Cut your potatoes into thin slices.
2. Place them in a warm oven.
3. Keep turning them until they become crispy and dry.
4. Mash them into powder and put them in airtight containers.
You can ask your children to help in this last part. Simply make certain that everything is orderly so you won’t have to clean up too much afterwards.
For more information about food and useful cooking tips, check out cooking101.org and also have a look at recipe for potato wedges.
