There is a food, readily available, full of health benefits, easy to prepare, versatile, quick, delicious and beloved of chefs all over the world. It’s good value and nutritious too.
Many of us were brought up on potatoes, a lifelong comfort food. Mashed, roasted, boiled, and baked, there are a lot of people on these shores that don’t consider a dinner complete without them. While they have a special place in kitchens here, ahead of International Potato Day on May 30th, chef Kwanghi Chan is keen to get us looking at our lifelong relationship with potatoes a bit differently. “We forget in Ireland sometimes that the potato is such a global food. Grown from polar region to polar region and at all altitudes, potatoes are used in cuisines all over the world.”
He’s right, of course: the potatoes we love to call our own really are a world food. Potatoes can be traced back to South America, where they were grown for thousands of years. In fact they made their first appearance in Europe only in the mid-1500s, having been brought from South America by the Spanish. Since they landed on Irish shores in the 16th century, potatoes have become integral to our cuisine, as they have all over the world, and with good reason. Potatoes are versatile, nutritious and, most importantly, delicious, so it’s no wonder we’ve all embraced them with such gusto.
For Kwanghi, his first taste of potatoes was in Hong Kong, where he grew up, and he remembers eating them from a young age. “Potatoes are used in many dishes in Hong Kong and China, particularly in soups, broths, salads and stir-fries. There is a Sichuan potato salad I really love, the potatoes are thinly sliced and fast blanched so they still have some crunch, and then there is lots of garlic and coriander loaded in there too.” When he was eight, he moved to Buncrana in Co Donegal, and there it was a bag of chips that stole his heart. “I remember my first bag of chips with salt and vinegar, it was delicious. We’d get them on school lunch breaks down the town. There was nothing like it.”
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He’s always had a fondness for potatoes, and even more so when he went on to train as a chef and learned how versatile they are in other cuisines. “In Ireland we often think of potatoes as straightforward or as a side dish, but around the globe they are incorporated in so many different recipes. Like potato dumplings are eaten all around the world, in Indian cooking, in Polish cooking, and in Italy, of course, they have gnocchi.” During his time in fine dining, he learned plenty of classical French potato preparations too. “We used to do lots of fondant potatoes, or really thin-sliced potato gratin on fish. Or in another kitchen we spiralised the potatoes and wrapped them around monkfish, then fried them in a pan until they were golden crispy on the outside.” He notes that modern fine-dining chefs in Ireland have been more focused on elevating Irish potato varieties, with many restaurants even serving up a potato course in its own right. “Irish chefs have more of an appreciation of potatoes now, I think.”
Potatoes are a source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, fibre and antioxidants
He’s also been happy to see lots more Irish restaurants leaning into potato croquettes. “I love a meat, cheese or veggie potato croquette. We think of them as a French delicacy but they suit Irish ingredients so well. Irish meats, cheeses and veggies perfectly complement potatoes in croquettes which can be served as ‘taste on a plate’.”
Still, he never lost that love for a bag of chips and that went on to be the basis for the potato dish he’s best known for these days, the famous Irish spice bag, a takeaway favourite consisting of potato chips, crispy chicken, peppers and chilli, all seasoned together. “I remember my first spice bag. I had tried one from the local Chinese restaurant, which was a delicious experience. It’s been amazing to see its popularity grow over the years and the longevity it’s had, people still go mad for a spice bag.”
Kwanghi says simply adding different spice mixes to your potatoes has to be one of the most straightforward ways to diversify your potato culinary experience. He loves to play around with Asian spices, of course, but another summer staple in his house is cooking Moroccan-style potato wedges and vegetables with lamb cutlets. The recipe for this and for a simple at-home potato wedges and chicken spice bag recipe can be found at potato.ie. This is a recipe website run by Bord Bia, dedicated to promoting the versatility of potatoes, as part of the three-year European Union campaign Potatoes, Prepare to be Surprised, which is co-funded by the EU. Kwanghi often uses this website for ideas, selecting from the 365 recipes featured. “There’s a potato recipe for every day of the year on this website, so there is lots of inspiration to be found on it.”
Balancing a busy business and feeding a family, he has grown even more appreciative of potatoes. “You can always feed the family if you have a bag of potatoes in the house. They are an incredibly versatile food meaning you can change your cuisine every day if you want to. They are also very affordable representing terrific value for money to feed your family and friends. Sometimes we overlook that they are also really wholesome and an easy way to get quality nutrients on to the dinner table.” Potatoes are a source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, fibre and antioxidants.
Another favourite recipe of Kwanghi’s from potato.ie is Greek-style stuffed potatoes. “These are basically baked potatoes, which I love, with a summer Greek filling of olives and feta. The kids love them as they are fun to prepare and fill.”
Baked potatoes are always a winner with his family, and such an affordable and wholesome way to feed a gang. “We love baked potatoes with a taco filling too, topped with cheese and coleslaw.” His kids also look forward to a traditional Irish potato salad in the warm weather. “They love the potato salad with mayonnaise and freshly picked scallions.”
Potatoes are not just for dinner either: Kwanghi loves cooking brunch at home and the feta and spinach potato rosti with roast tomatoes from potato.ie is a favourite of his.
“Potato rostis are so easy to do, you just need a grater, and they look really appetising.” Rosti and eggs are a firm favourite and a wonderful way to kick off busy weekends. He also shouts out a savory potato waffles recipe from the website that is a brunch favourite at home. “Oh, and the crispy potato fish cakes are great too,” he adds.
So, this International Potato Day, why not celebrate the potato’s incredible versatility and taste- there’s a whole world of flavours and cooking styles just waiting to be explored at potato.ie
Check out potato.ie to discover their potato calendar of 365 delicious potato recipes from all over the world, one for every day of the year. For more delicious potato recipe inspiration follow @potatosurprises.eu.
