The plain boiled potatoes do feel very UK “my parents grew up in the tail end of rationing” style. Idk if it’s because I grew up with it that I don’t mind, or if I know just putting a bit of the gravy on it means they don’t need to be cooked any other way.
Saying all that that though, I don’t tend to boil potatoes like this personally and would totally mash them or something.
I’m 48, my parents absolutely grew up through rationing which lasted into the 1950s. Plain boiled potatoes was a really common way of serving them all through my childhood. Even now they will commonly eat plain potatoes, with a bit of butter on them. In fact as they have got older, now in their 80s, their meal might just be plain potatoes and peas.
This dish, mince and tatties, was an absolute staple at my Scottish grannie’s house, with an overboiled cabbage as well for good measure.
My mum often served just boiled potatoes like this, due to growing up during rationing. They’re actually fine as long as they’re not over-boiled, and then when you get the Jersey Royals in season it’s an absolute crime to peel, chip, over-season or mash them.
I would probably add a little bit of butter and salt, but you’re right, the flavour potential of simple potatoes can be criminally undervalued sometimes. Particularly home grown or fresh new potatoes.
The issue people have is with how naked the potatoes are. If they were mashed and had the stew poured over them, I bet people would be salivating.
The plain boiled potatoes do feel very UK “my parents grew up in the tail end of rationing” style. Idk if it’s because I grew up with it that I don’t mind, or if I know just putting a bit of the gravy on it means they don’t need to be cooked any other way.
Saying all that that though, I don’t tend to boil potatoes like this personally and would totally mash them or something.
I’m 48, my parents absolutely grew up through rationing which lasted into the 1950s. Plain boiled potatoes was a really common way of serving them all through my childhood. Even now they will commonly eat plain potatoes, with a bit of butter on them. In fact as they have got older, now in their 80s, their meal might just be plain potatoes and peas.
This dish, mince and tatties, was an absolute staple at my Scottish grannie’s house, with an overboiled cabbage as well for good measure.
My mum often served just boiled potatoes like this, due to growing up during rationing. They’re actually fine as long as they’re not over-boiled, and then when you get the Jersey Royals in season it’s an absolute crime to peel, chip, over-season or mash them.
I would probably add a little bit of butter and salt, but you’re right, the flavour potential of simple potatoes can be criminally undervalued sometimes. Particularly home grown or fresh new potatoes.