Danube potatoes - how on earth are you meant to cook these?

[moola]

Hiya
I got some freebies. Danubes that are purple coloured. 2nd earlies (I think).
I have just cooked the last lot with the same miserable amount of success. Basically, they look great - lovely colour, firm etc. Stick em in the pot to boil and they fall apart without really cooking through.

I've tried low heat/high heat, gradually lessening the time I've had them on (tonight about 6-7 mins) Skins on/skins off etc etc. I always end up with some hard pieces and then this disgusting mushy stuff that you can't even convert to mash. It's a bit semolina like ....

The ones that did kind of make it to the plate were incredibly floury. Quite unlike any spuds I have had before. Good taste but by the time we had fished the bits out not much actually 'there' as such.

Where did we go wrong? How can you mess up cooking spuds? Anyone else tried these?

Back to the better varieties next year.... thank goodness we put some lady Christle's in as well.

[realfood]

As with all floury potatoes, the best way is to cook them in a covered container in the microwave for 6 to 8 mins for 4 helpings.
Eating them myself, very good.

[Suky]

Try steaming them, that's where I got the best results this year.

[rustylady]

I agree with Suky - steaming is the best way I've tried, though the microwave would probably work too.

[Two_Sheds]

steaming (30 mins) or microwave as per jackets (9 mins?)

[Florence Fennel]

Don't peel, slice into wedges, sprinkle on oil, salt, herbs and roast?

[shirlthegirl43]

I steam all my 'new' potatoes, haven't had any fall apart yet

[Croila]

Hi, I've just lifted a load of Sharpes Express tatties and am finding them quite hard to cook too ... beautiful, beautiful taste but floury and they fall to bits and go into a mush when boiling - sounds a bit like these Danube ones.

Can I ask please, when folks cook them in the microwave in a covered bowl, how much water do you put in? Is it just a wee drop covering the bottom of the bowl or ..?

And do most tatties take about 30 minutes to steam? That seems an awfully long time, no?

Thank you
C

[shirlthegirl43]

Steaming is quicker if your spuds are smaller - as you would when boiling, test them from time to time.

[Croila]

Thanks ... I will give it a go tonight actually. Maybe I didn't chop them up into wee enough pieces last time I tried it!

[shirlthegirl43]

I usually cut them to match the smaller ones - but I don't cut if I can get away with it. If you think about how long it takes to boil spuds (5 mins or so for water to come to boil then 20 mins for them to soften) then the steaming is much the same really.

[Croila]

Thanks Shirley ... duly noted. Am looking forward to tonight's dinner!

[Croila]

PS - Shirley - just noticed you're from Neyland ... My dad's family's from Pembroke Dock ;-)

[shirlthegirl43]

'tis a small world, my mum is from Haddington and I was born in Dundee

[jackie j]

AH thats what I need to do, all my spuds this year have been like that, even ones I have grown before.