Most of us love to eat US potatoes, more than we know it. We Filipino moms won’t find our “afritada” and “menudo” complete without potatoes. And there are a hundred more dishes where we include potatoes in them. Of course, most kids we know crave for French fries! Luckily for us, these humble potatoes are considered “wonder foods”. Let me tell you some of the most important reasons why.
- Packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Iron, and Potassium
- US potatoes contain more vitamin C than tomatoes or sweet potatoes. Vitamin C helps to make our body’s immune system stronger, our wounds heal faster, and our gums healthier.
- US potatoes provide 10% recommended daily value of Vitamin B6 which is important for the body to make different types of proteins.
- US potatoes provide 18% recommended value of Potassium which helps us maintain normal blood pressure.
- Low calorie
- We adults may be concerned with the amount of calorie we intake every day. But we should feel the same for our kids. With the increasing cases of obesity and diseases related to improper weight management, we should also be taking a closer look of the calories in the food we serve or pack for our kids.
- Rich in antioxidants
- US potatoes are rich in phytonutrients which help us fight free radicals. In simple words, free radicals are chemical components inside our body which damages our cells and make us look old and sick.
- Good for the heart
- US potatoes are cholesterol-free and have zero saturated fat, and are low in sodium. How much more ideal can they be, right?
- Helps restore electrolytes
- The skin contains sodium and potassium which are important electrolytes. When we do rigorous trainings and sweat a lot, we lose electrolytes and this can cause cramps during exercise.
- Helps boost brain activity
- US potatoes contain carbohydrates which provide enough glucose in the blood. This makes our brain perform much better.
- Flexible ingredient
- Most moms can attest how flexible US potatoes can be. They can be used as alternative to rice and bread and when kids eat them, they tend to eat a wider variety of food including vegetables.
With all these health benefits, truly, we can say that US potatoes should be called “wonder foods”. By including them in our menu regularly, we can be assured of a healthier, much more active family.
And because we know how everyone loves a good dish containing US potatoes, here’s a simple, easy cook recipe you can prepare for dinner, on weekends or as packed-lunch treat for your kids.
Corn Flakes Crusted Chicken Fillet With Mashed Potato And Gravy
Ingredients:
Fried Chicken
4 Chicken breast fillet pieces, if you want to, you can use a mallet to pound the fillet to make thinner and easier to cook
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground pepper
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup plain cornflakes (crushed)
1 large egg, whisked
Cooking oil for frying
How to prepare :
Season chicken fillet with salt and pepper. Coat each fillet with flour first, then egg, and cornflakes. Deep fry until golden brown.
Mashed or Pureed Potato
3 Large US Potatoes
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup milk
Salt and pepper for seasoning
How to prepare :
Peel potatoes after boiling. Mash with fork and when done, put butter, milk and seasoning. Mix well. Cook the mixture in a saucepan in low heat until thick. Process in a food blender or processor if you like it pureed.
Gravy
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 cup beef broth
Salt and pepper for seasoning
*double the quantities if you want to make more gravy
How to prepare :
Mix all ingredients and cook in low heat until thick.
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Arrange crusted fillet with mashed potato and gravy in a plate. Add steamed vegetables if desired.
Enjoy!
#USPotatoPowerPH
For more exciting information about US Potatoes, follow Potatoes USA Philippines Facebook Page.
Article Sources and more interesting reads:
Potatogoodness.com
Apre.org (Alliance for Potato Nutrition)
Potatoes USA – Philippines – Official Website of Potatoes USA locally
Potatoesinschools.com
Spudsmart.com
