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By Root 650 0

Benjamin Thompson realized that the government could save lots of money feeding potatoes to poorhouse residents. He boiled the potatoes behind closed doors until they fell apart and no one could tell what food it was. Otherwise, no one would have eaten it. Sneaky, sneaky… but this way, the residents were well-fed, the government saved loads of money, and everyone was happy.

6 red potatoes (about 2 pounds), scrubbed and chopped into ½-inch cubes

¼ cup olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves

2 cloves garlic, minced

Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Combine the potatoes with the oil, salt, rosemary, garlic, and black pepper, taking care to coat the potatoes thoroughly and evenly.

Spread the potatoes in a large, shallow roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. Roast the potatoes for about 45 minutes, until the potatoes are slightly crisp around the edges and soft in the middle. Halfway through baking, remove the pan briefly to toss the potatoes again, then replace it in the oven and continue baking.

Serves 4

Fluffy Mashed Potatoes

Ron is starving — as usual — at the start-of-term feast, where the Triwizard Tournament will be announced. He loads up on mashed potatoes, observed by a wistful Nearly Headless Nick (see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 12).

There are a zillion and one ways to prepare potatoes, and it seems as though at least half of them are mentioned in the Harry Potter books. But this is one of the best ways to eat them. For mashing, use starchy potatoes, such as russet. Waxy potatoes like the red-skin variety don't lose their shape after a long cooking time and are best reserved for roasting and stewing. They don't make good mashed potatoes.

6 Idaho or russet potatoes (about 2½ pounds), peeled and quartered

1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter

1 cup whole milk

2 teaspoons salt

Freshly ground black pepper to tast

Place the potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer about 25 minutes or until the potatoes break apart when pierced with a fork.

Drain the potatoes. Add the butter, milk, salt, and black pepper. Mash with a potato masher until the potatoes are light and fluffy.

Serves 4

You can have a lot of fun with mashed potatoes. Boil 2 peeled cloves of garlic along with the potatoes and mash them together with the potatoes, along with a dash of garlic powder, for garlicky mashed potatoes. Add a sautéed onion and 1 tablespoon onion powder for onion mashed potatoes. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top for cheesy mashed potatoes. Or mash in your favorite herbs, minced. And serve with lots of gravy.

Potatoes Baked in Their Jackets

Harry is about to have his very first Halloween feast at Hogwarts, complete with live bats (for show, not for eating), when Professor Quirrell bursts into the Great Hall to warn everyone about a troll, throwing the Hall into chaos. Harry doesn't get to finish the baked potato he had been about to help himself to, but he has adventures far more exciting than eating potatoes (see Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 10).

Another interesting fact about potatoes: They used to be called “earth apple” in English and German (Erdapfel). They are still called “earth apple” in French (pommes de terre), Hebrew (tapuchei adama), Dutch (aardappel), and other languages.

6 Idaho or russet potatoes, scrubbed

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Butter, sour cream, or plain yogurt, for serving

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise and spread them, cut-side up, on a baking sheet.

Bake the potatoes for 1 to 1½ hours, until the tops are crusty and golden and the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with lots of butter or with sour cream or plain yogurt.

Serves 6

For a hearty meal on its own, bake the potatoes whole, then split them in half and scoop out the insides. Mash with tuna and mayonnaise — using the proportions of tuna and mayo to potato that you like — and return the mixture to