Dehydrated potatoes are really 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 constant 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? The next time you go out to buy your favorite brand of dehydrated potatoes, you must try having a look at the list of ingredients. You may 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 Value Instant Potatoes.” You would expect the package to contain potatoes, and nothing else right? In fact, it’s just instant potatoes, so what else should be in there?
Here is a list of the ingredients that are essentially included in the pack of dehydrated potatoes:
– potato ( you would actually be surprised if this was not included)
– monocerides (these are fats )
– diglycerides ( another sort of fats )
– sodium acid pyrophosphate ( this is really a chemical used 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 that has been quite debatable in the food-processing industry )
Out of all these listed ingredients, the sole one that basically 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 concerned in making dehydrated potatoes will make you wish to think twice about purchasing them again.
You do have the option of making your own dehydrated potatoes. You may be sure that there are no dangerous chemicals added, and you can even have a nice time making them. The process is reasonably easy, and you can turn 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. 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 kids to help you in this last part. Simply make sure that everything is orderly so you will not have to wash up too much afterwards.
For more easy to make recipes, visit cooking101.org and also read about roasted potatoes.
Tags: dehydrated potatoes, potatoes