Oct 02 2008
Fun from Potatoes
I found two recipes that I think are very playful and fun. They would make great recipes to make with children. There are so many lessons that can be learned when working together on a project in the kitchen. The two recipes I found use potatoes is a unique way, making candy.
The recipe that follows is from Cooks Recipes website.
Old Fashioned Potato Candy
1/2 (or 1 small) boiled potato
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
About 2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1. Mash potato, add butter, vanilla and enough powdered sugar to make a slightly stiff dough.
2. Roll out dough (on a surface dusted with powdered sugar) and spread on the peanut butter.
3. Roll dough up (as for jelly roll) to make a log.
4. Cut into pieces, let air dry for about an hour. Store in air tight container.
Makes about 2 dozen confections.
The following recipe is from What’s Cooking America
Mashed Potato Fudge
1/2 cup unseasoned, well-mashed cooked potato (about 1 medium potato)
3 cups powdered (confectioners) sugar
1 cup flaked or shredded coconut
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 ounces semisweet chocolate
While the potato is hot, beat in the sugar and coconut; then the vanilla.
Press into a lightly greased 8-inch square pan. Melt chocolate and pour over top. Chill and cut into squares. Keeps indefinitely in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Makes 64 1-inch pieces.
VARIATIONS WITHOUT CHOCOLATE:
PEANUT BUTTER:
Roll potato mixture on wax paper sprinkled with powdered sugar until very thin. Spread with creamy peanut butter and then roll into a long log. Roll in a little more powdered sugar and refrigerate. Slice to serve.
TENNESSEE CHRISTMAS MINTS:
Omit vanilla and substitute a few drops of oil of peppermint. Tint fondant pink with food coloring. Flatten balls to approximately 1/2-inch thickness.
COFFEE MOCHA LOGS:
Add 2 teaspoons instant coffee powder to recipe while kneading mixture. Shape into finger rolls 1/2-by-2 inches. Roll in chocolate sprinkles.
