We know it seems simple, but a properly-prepared potato is the base of so many much-loved dishes that we want to help make sure you get it right every time.

  1. Scrub the potatoes clean. Cut the potatoes into large, evenly-sized cubes, or simply halve larger ones so that they’re all roughly the same size.
  2. Transfer the potatoes to a saucepan and cover with an inch or two of cold water. Starting the potatoes in cold water helps them cook more evenly.
  3. Stir in a teaspoon of salt until dissolved.
  4. Bring to a boil over a medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a bare simmer to cook the potatoes. Do not cover.
  5. Cubed potatoes will cook more quickly than whole, and smaller potatoes will cook more quickly than larger. Begin checking the potatoes after around five minutes of boiling; most potatoes will be done after between 10 and 15 minutes.
  6. The potatoes are done when they are tender all the way through. Test this by poking one potato with a fork, paring knife or skewer.
  7. Drain cubed potatoes in a colander or lift whole potatoes out with a slotted spoon. If your recipe calls for cold potatoes (e.g. potato salad), run them under cold water to cool them down quickly.

If you’re looking for a dish which showcases your potatoes, these Greek-style new potatoes are a good place to start!