PERU is the origin of potatoes, with the tubers planted on different altitudes of the vast Mount Andes range. Varieties can come in russets, whites, reds, yellows, as well as specialty crops of fingerlings, blue and purple. Any single spud is at least 110 calories, having no fat, with lots of fiber from its skin, containing 18-percent potassium (based on the recommended daily allowance) that’s higher than those from banana and broccoli, and contains 45-percent vitamins B and C (based on RDA).
Talk about the versatility of this tuberous crop, and chefs will share firsthand how potatoes have become an integral ingredient to some of the world’s best cuisines. Half shells, skin-ons, tater tots, criss-cut fries, wedges, shoestrings, chips, fries and hash browns are some of the available US frozen-potato varieties in the market. It has complex carb and one required by our brains and muscle tissue. Potatoes are very filling and have the highest in satiety value from among 38 foods belonging to the carbohydrate group.
Besides variety, restaurateurs are assured of a steady supply, because US potato growers offer processors a plentiful year-round delivery of the finest varieties that meet stringent Food and Drug Administration and United State Department of Agriculture specifications. Ideal growing temperatures, rich soil, state-of-the-art processing facilities and generations of expertise required by the US frozen-potatoes standard enable chefs to achieve a sumptuous meal with desirable appearance, taste and texture.
“You simply get over them being fried and used as sides for the longest time. Now, they can be part of any dish—from appetizers, main courses and entrées, to desserts. The Philippines is the second-largest potato consumer in Southeast Asia, at times toppling Malaysia from the top spot. It is also the 8th-largest exporter of frozen potatoes worldwide.
“Frozen potatoes have the same nutrition as fresh ones. In a 1991 study conducted by the University of Illinois, through the American Frozen Food Institute, it was found out that cryogenics did not injure the vitamins of the spud after processing. It is contact with air that affects the vitamin C and thiamine content of potatoes, that’s why they darken after being peeled. And today, with issues on gluten-free content, potatoes are used in most soup dishes than croutons,” said Susan Weller, international food marketing director for the US Potato Bureau (USPB).
“The USPB was born in 1971 with headquarters in Denver, Colorado. It has 104 appointed board members from farmers and growers state-wide. It is part of the USDA’s foreign agricultural service,” she added.
The USPB has taken a move to further enhance the capabilities of Filipino chefs by conducting seminars and trainings on the latest potato recipes around the world; including delectable food choices across Southeast Asia’s 17 regions. Recently, it also provided an avenue for chefs to experiment on the versatility of US frozen potatoes through the US Potato Safari.
For three days, Manila-based journalists and Cebu-based bloggers were able to experience a one-of-a-kind potato-food marathon from Mediterranean to high-end Asian cuisines to warm comfort food finds. Restaurants such as The Suite Room, with its high-end dishes; Circa 1900, which prepared a seven-course feast for us (complete with wine pairing); and Anzani Mediterranean Cuisine, with its authentic dishes and a sprawling wine cellar, welcomed us all.
The safari ended with a delicious spread prepared by Marco Polo Hotel Executive Chef Stefano Virillo. His elegant presentation of dishes with an unforgettable taste drew accolades from among us guests.
“Sixty-two percent of our harvest are exported to other countries, whether as frozen, table stock, dehydrated, as chips, or seeds. I started Hoverson Farms in North Dakota with 13 acres in 1976. Now it is 5,000 acres of potatoes. You’ll find our farm on the map in the 49th parallel up north. There are 2,500 US potato growers. Most of these are family farms and multigenerational. Hoverson Farms straddles the River Valley, 300 miles long and 35 miles wide. The long hot days and cold nights (sometimes at -56 degrees) are favorable for raising potatoes,” revealed Carl Hoverson, Environmental Stewardship awardee for using lesser pesticides on his crops. The crispy McDonald’s fries we enjoy come from his farm.
To fully understand how versatile, unique and easy to use US frozen potatoes are, media attendees were challenged to a special cook-off, wherein each group of three had to create a set dish using them as key ingredient.
At the end of the media cook-off, our team Gandarah romped off with the grand prize for our winning entry, Gambas à la Gandarah (see recipe). All the media groups were given an hour to prepare our dishes and another 5 minutes to present the finished dish for judging. Each group prepared four separate plates for the judging panel, composed of Carl Hoverson, cochairman, US Potato Board; Susan Weller; Dennis Uy, executive chef, Maribago Bluewater Resorts; and Stefano Verillo, executive chef, Marco Polo Hotels-Philippines. Each plated entry was judged on the innovative/creative use of the US frozen-potato cut(s), 50 percent; taste, 25 percent; and plating/presentation, 25 percent.
Delectable potato-infused dishes are currently available at The Suite Room (Ayala Center Cebu, 032-2540508); Circa 1900 (Sanjercasvil Road, Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, 032-2396265); and Anzani Mediterranean Cuisines (Panorama Heights, Nivel Hills, Lahug, 032-2327375) until the end of March.
GAMBAS À LA GANDARAH
For shrimp and sauce:
1 kilo tiger prawns, headless
6 pcs US frozen hash browns
half shells (or potato baskets, if available)
lemon, whole
asparagus bunch
1 large can of coconut cream
(or same quantity from grated coconut, undiluted)
garlic, whole
peppercorns
ginger powder
salt to taste
For siding:
french fries, cooked
dried mangoes
macapuno strings and bits
kani sticks
potato skin-on, as garnishing
Ingredients:
Cut the asparagus stalks in precise lengths (slightly longer than the kani sticks). The remaining stalks will be steamed for the purée. In a separate saucepan or non-stick pan, stir-fry the kani sticks and cut asparagus in butter for 30 seconds over low flame.
Tie each kani stick with a French fry and buttered asparagus with dried mango strings (simply cut lengthy julienne strips of dried mangoes). Set aside.
After thawing prawns, if chilled, rinse completely with water and drain. Squeeze the lemon thoroughly all over them. Sprinkle with ginger powder and set aside.
Heat a saucepan. Sautée the garlic and peppercorns and pour in 3/4 cup of the coconut cream. Simmer. Drop the hash browns and stir occasionally to break them into sago-like bits. Sprinkle salt to taste.
Stir in the prawns over slow fire and turn off flame after a minute, or when shells start to get red. Throw in the remaining asparagus stalks just before turning off heat. Cover. Set aside.
Take out the asparagus stalks and put in a blender with the remaining coconut milk. Blend.
Take out the shrimps from the sauce and mix the asparagus purée.
Put the sauce on the potato skins with the shrimps on top, covering each with a halved skin-on.
On a serving plate, put a serving size of the sauce under the half shells. Put the sidings then sprinkle plate with macapuno bits. Serve hot.