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Post by katiekaty on Oct 20, 2024 21:29:53 GMT
So, I have never used one other than to peel carrots. I had major hand surgery last Tuesday and we have eaten macaroni, spaghetti, pastas and rices. We had baked potatoes one night. We are used to more potatoes in our meal planning. Unfortunately, I am the one who always peels the potatoes and always using a a paring knife.
so, how do you use a peeler and explain it to my sons and DH how to peel potatoes?
and should I video it and share with peas?
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compeateropeator
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Post by compeateropeator on Oct 20, 2024 21:34:29 GMT
In my experience everyone does it different. My Grandmother was one that used a paring knife always, thought there was too much waste with a peeler.
I hold the potatoe and just use the peeler going away from me, fast. It is messy and I need a wide berth for stray peels that go shooting in various directions…so obviously I wouldn’t be of any help. I will be interested in seeing what tips people give you.
I am left handed and the potato peeler is one of the few kitchen tools that seems to not make a difference.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Oct 20, 2024 21:40:41 GMT
Okay. Don’t laugh, but…
I seem to be the only person in my family that seems to know how to make “real” mashed potatoes. Every.single.gathering I get asked to make mashed potatoes. I HATE peeling potatoes and have grumped about it for years. My sister’s solution? Instead of volunteering to make the potatoes, she bought me this: An electric potato peeler.
Starfrit 093209-006-BLCK Electric Rotato Express, Black from Amazon. (Can’t seem to do a link)
I thought it was the stupidest thing ever, but it works great! Easy to use and clean and because it’s a “gadget” my DH frequently volunteers to peel the potatoes. Ha.
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Post by katlady on Oct 20, 2024 21:41:01 GMT
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Post by chaosisapony on Oct 20, 2024 21:41:31 GMT
To be honest I rarely bother peeling potatoes. I give them a good scrub and leave the skin on. When I do peel, I start at the end of the potato and slowly bring the peeler down towards me. I put a paper towel underneath for the peel to fall on.
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Post by brynn on Oct 20, 2024 21:59:13 GMT
I peel potatoes as I peel carrots. My mother used a pairing knife, but she didn't like anyone else in her kitchen. Barbara Swain's "Cookery for 1 or 2" taught me to cook in my first apartment.
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Post by disneypal on Oct 20, 2024 22:01:20 GMT
I always use a knife, it works better for me then a peeler
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Post by angieh1996 on Oct 20, 2024 22:11:43 GMT
I use a potato peeler but pull it towards me like you would a paring knife. If that makes sense.
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Post by lisae on Oct 20, 2024 22:13:12 GMT
I also peel potatoes with a paring knife. I use the potato peeler on carrots and sweet potatoes. Send them to YouTube. Hope you recover quickly.
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Post by littlemama on Oct 20, 2024 22:38:15 GMT
Buy redskins or Yukon golds and dont peel them. 😁
The only way to show them is to have them start with a carrot (because they are cheaper) and talk them through it
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Post by littlemama on Oct 20, 2024 22:39:41 GMT
I use a potato peeler but pull it towards me like you would a paring knife. If that makes sense. I push away. Im always fascinated when people pull the peeler towards them and insanely impressed when someone uses a paring knife to peel, or they cut towards their thumb. I would be thumbless |
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Post by bc2ca on Oct 20, 2024 22:45:16 GMT
To be honest I rarely bother peeling potatoes.  If I want skinless mashed potatoes, I use a ricer after they are cooked, but otherwise potatoes are boiled, roasted and sauteed with peels on.  potato ricer my DH grew up in the restaurant business so is a world champion peeler, but my kids would absolutely be YTing it. Wishing the best of luck for your recovery. |
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Post by Linda on Oct 20, 2024 23:02:00 GMT
Best wishes for your recovery. I don't usually peel potatoes unless I'm mashing them (rare) - otherwise I leave the skin on - healthier and easier.
When I do peel them, I do just as I do carrots etc...flat side against the potato and push away and clean up the mess of peels afterwards
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Oct 20, 2024 23:03:36 GMT
Hope your recovery goes well and quickly!!
I don't bother to peel my potatoes. But I do scrub them well!!
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pilcas
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Post by pilcas on Oct 20, 2024 23:13:00 GMT
I always peel my potatoes with a paring knife. It seems easier because with the peeler I have to go back and do the uneven parts with a knife anyway.
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paget
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Oct 20, 2024 23:16:02 GMT
Buy redskins or Yukon golds and dont peel them. 😁 The only way to show them is to have them start with a carrot (because they are cheaper) and talk them through it This is what I mostly do now because I also hate peeling. Dd1 is a champion peeler and I used to have her do it for me with russets as she loves mashed potatoes so she was willing to work for it! lol. My only peeling tip is I think it’s easier with dry potatoes and then wash after the skin is off/done peeling. |
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Tearisci
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Post by Tearisci on Oct 21, 2024 13:20:27 GMT
I learned how to peel with my hand pointing away from me, but my sister, who likes to correct me on everything, peels toward herself.
I'll admit that it's more controlled peeling toward me rather than away but it's hard to break a 50 year habit!
Edited to add: I hope your recovery goes smoothly!
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Post by bbkeef on Oct 21, 2024 13:26:07 GMT
I use a peeler if I'm making mashed potatoes (sometimes skin stays on). Normally, I scrub the potatoes, stand over the garbage can and peel away from me. Drop the potato in said garbage can, wash and dry again and finish peeling the potato. I also have left the skins on and used a potato ricer. It depends on my mood that day I guess.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Oct 21, 2024 13:27:17 GMT
I can’t even remember the last time I peeled a potato or any vegetable for that matter. I don’t think I even own a peeler anymore. We usually scrub them well and cook them with the peels on, either baked, oven roasted or any other way. On the rare occasion when we want mashed potatoes, we just skip the hassle and make the instant ones. Probably blasphemy to some, but hey. We’re lazy, LOL. 🤷🏻♀️
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Post by gracieplusthree on Oct 21, 2024 13:38:10 GMT
You can boil the potatoes first, then the peels mostly just slip off. Especially if you take a knife and cut a line around it in the middle before boiling..
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Post by brenda89 on Oct 21, 2024 13:50:46 GMT
Okay. Don’t laugh, but… I seem to be the only person in my family that seems to know how to make “real” mashed potatoes. Every.single.gathering I get asked to make mashed potatoes. I HATE peeling potatoes and have grumped about it for years. My sister’s solution? Instead of volunteering to make the potatoes, she bought me this: An electric potato peeler. Starfrit 093209-006-BLCK Electric Rotato Express, Black from Amazon. (Can’t seem to do a link) I thought it was the stupidest thing ever, but it works great! Easy to use and clean and because it’s a “gadget” my DH frequently volunteers to peel the potatoes. Ha. My aunt ordered one of these for my Mom, who a rheumatoid arthritis. I hadn't heard of them until she got her one this summer. |
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samantha25
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Post by samantha25 on Oct 21, 2024 14:32:01 GMT
You actually can use the peeler back and forth, not just one motion, especially if your peeler has sharp edges. It makes for a really fast peel! Check it out on youtube.
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Post by huskermom98 on Oct 21, 2024 15:16:58 GMT
For potatoes I pull the peeler towards me in a slow & controlled manner to get the maximum amount of peel. I feel like if it go away from me I'm going to nick my knuckles.
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Post by katlady on Oct 21, 2024 18:24:46 GMT
For potatoes I pull the peeler towards me in a slow & controlled manner to get the maximum amount of peel. I feel like if it go away from me I'm going to nick my knuckles. How do you, or anyone else, hold your potato when peeling? The potato is basically in the palm of my hand, so my knuckles are underneath the potato. Maybe I hold my potatoes strangely.  |
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naby64
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Post by naby64 on Oct 21, 2024 18:51:56 GMT
I use a potato peeler but pull it towards me like you would a paring knife. If that makes sense. I push away. Im always fascinated when people pull the peeler towards them and insanely impressed when someone uses a paring knife to peel, or they cut towards their thumb. I would be thumbless Always pulled toward me. Knife or peeler. Still have 2 thumbs, never had an issue. The only time I had an issue was at my mom and dad's house on Easter. I was using one of my dad's knives. That he kept crazy sharp. As I was cutting ham and pulling the knife towards me, yep, I sliced the fleshy part under my thumb. Put a bandage on it. And kept changing it out. After we ate, an ED visit was put in to get stitches. |
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Post by Zee on Oct 21, 2024 20:17:45 GMT
Does an adult actually need to be shown how to use a potato peeler? Genuinely wondering... Because I can't imagine this unless it's feigned helplessness by a man.
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Post by lucyg on Oct 21, 2024 22:04:59 GMT
I use an inexpensive OXO potato peeler with a nice, comfortable rubber handle and peel them into the sink. Then I scoop up the peelings by the handful and dump them into the compost bucket (hey, it’s California, we compost everything). Little red or gold potatoes, I don’t bother peeling.
I’m the mashed potato queen in my family and I don’t find peeling potatoes to be too much of a hassle.
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Post by katiekaty on Oct 21, 2024 23:21:47 GMT
Does an adult actually need to be shown how to use a potato peeler? Genuinely wondering... Because I can't imagine this unless it's feigned helplessness by a man. They don’t eat carrots. One eats cucumbers but likes the skin on. And I am the one who peels all the potatoes. So yeah, they are need lessons! I have threatened them with boxed mashed potatoes which they have had a couple times at friends houses. They swear they are going to get on tomorrow! I am not holding my breath ! |
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Post by Zee on Oct 21, 2024 23:24:34 GMT
Does an adult actually need to be shown how to use a potato peeler? Genuinely wondering... Because I can't imagine this unless it's feigned helplessness by a man. They don’t eat carrots. One eats cucumbers but likes the skin on. And I am the one who peels all the potatoes. So yeah, they are need lessons! I have threatened them with boxed mashed potatoes which they have had a couple times at friends houses. They swear they are going to get on tomorrow! I am not holding my breath ! I mean, it's kind of obvious what to do with it if you tell them it's a peeler, isn't it? But, good luck and I hope you heal quickly! |
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maryannscraps
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Post by maryannscraps on Oct 21, 2024 23:48:54 GMT
I never thought about it, but I guess peel toward me. It gives good control. My kids figure it out on their own.
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If I want skinless mashed potatoes, I use a ricer after they are cooked, but otherwise potatoes are boiled, roasted and sauteed with peels on. 
