Kitchen Tidbits

Dehydrated potatoes are really the same as instant potatoes, and this latter term is probably more familiar to you. If you are like thousands of other USA citizens, you purchase dehydrated potatoes on a consistent basis and frequently use them in your cooking.

Think about how often 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 asserts “Instant Potatoes,” have you checked the package for the list of ingredients contained in the pack? Next time you go out to buy your fave brand of dehydrated potatoes, you must try taking a look at the list of ingredients. You could be in for a shock.

Actually, we have done that to one of the cheaper brands 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 list of the ingredients that are actually included in the pack of dehydrated potatoes:

- potato ( you would really be shocked if this wasn’t included )
- monocerides ( these are fats)
- diglycerides ( another sort of fats )
- sodium acid pyrophosphate (this is basically a chemical employed in electroplating )
- sodium metabisulfate (this chemical is employed 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 sole 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 amount of chemicals involved in making dehydrated potatoes will make you wish to think carefully about purchasing them again.

You do have the option of making your own dehydrated potatoes. You can be certain that there are no harmful chemicals added, and you can even have a good time making them. The process is fairly simple, and you can make it into a fun activity for the whole family, especially if you have children 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. Put them in a warm oven.
3. Keep turning them till they become crispy and dry.
4. Mash them into powder and store them in airtight containers.

You can ask your kids to help in this last part. Just make sure that everything is orderly so you won’t have to clean up too much afterwards.

To get more recipes and cooking ideas, visit cooking101.org and while you are at it, you might also want to have a look at roasted potatoes.