Dehydrated potatoes are actually the same as instant potatoes, and this latter term is perhaps more familiar to you. If you are like thousands of other Americans, you buy dehydrated potatoes on a consistent 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 got a pack that asserts “Instant Potatoes,” have you checked the package for the list of ingredients contained in the pack? The next time you go out to buy your favourite brand of dehydrated potatoes, you should 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 less expensive makes of dehydrated products – check out its ingredients, that is. We went to our local Aldi’s and grabbed a box of “Great Worth 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 basically included in the pack of dehydrated potatoes:
– potato (you would actually be shocked if this was not 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 employed with antioxidants )
– citric acid ( a weak acid used for flavoring)
– BHT or butylated hydroxytoluene ( a fat and oil antioxidant which has been quite controversial in the food-processing industry)
Out of all these listed ingredients, the sole one that really 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 would like to think twice about buying them again.
You do have the choice of making your own dehydrated potatoes. You may be sure that there are no dangerous chemicals added, and you can even have an excellent time making them. The method is reasonably easy, and you can turn it into a fun activity for the family, particularly if you have children around. For more data 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 store them in airtight containers.
You can ask your children to help you in this last part. Just make sure that everything is orderly so you won’t have to wash up too much afterwards.
Do you like to cook? If so, visit cooking101.org and get easy recipes you can use everyday to make delicious meals for the entire family how to roast potatoes.
