Potatoes are a Grill’s Best Friend
BBQ SEASON IS HERE
Barbecue season has arrived, and in Canada it’s a big deal, mainly due to the pinnacle of it lasting only a few months (unless you’re okay with being a grill master who wears a parka). The hot weather makes us crave grilling a tasty meal for family and friends. Firing up a couple of juicy steaks, roasting up smokies with all the condiments and sizzling baked potatoes grilled to perfection! Here at Thomas Fresh, we are the potato experts, and we have all the tips and tricks to help you cook up the perfect potato this grill season.
Russets are Best
Baked potatoes are an easy, tasty and nutritious addition to any barbecued meal. For best results, foil wrapping the potato first before grilling allows the moisture of the spud to stay intact while cooking thoroughly (without foil wrapping the potato will get very crispy – fast). As for the potato variety, russet potatoes are the premium choice. Russets are normally medium to large in size (plenty of room to add your favourite fixings) with an oval shape and white/pale yellow flesh inside. Classic russets work best as baked potatoes due to their light, fluffy texture and hearty skin which can withstand heat.
Rack up the Nutrition with Russets
The average russet potato contains about 100 calories of energy and is a rich source of many essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium (more than a banana!), Manganese, Dietary Fibre and Magnesium. Russet potatoes also contain a generous amount of protein with the absence of fat, sodium and cholesterol. Don’t forget – the skin of a russet potato contains the highest concentration of nutrients, so eat this part too!
Cook to Perfection
A foil wrapped russet potato can be grilled on a barbecue, campfire or roasted in an oven. No need to poke holes into the potato before cooking and in some cases a foil wrapped potato can actually cook faster than an unwrapped one. When ready, the potato will become somewhat tender and will give slightly under applied pressure.
Barbecue / Campfire Directions:
- Place foil wrapped russet potatoes directly on to the grill or campfire
- 45-minutes cook time
- Turn every 15 minutes
Oven Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 F
- Place foil wrapped potatoes directly on oven rack or use pan
- 40-60 minutes cook time
- Turn once, halfway through
- Use a heat-safe oven mitt to test if the potato is done
Baked to Perfection – Flavour Foundation
Once cooked, carefully open the foil wrapping to let out excess heat and steam. Let the potatoes cool and when you can slice them open without burning yourself, they are ready to load up! The easy-going flavour of russet potatoes is a fantastic foundation to an endless variety of toppings. So much so, that foil wrapped russets can be a tasty side dish but also the base of a main meal! We have some ideas to get your imagination running, some of these flavour combinations are truly a spud nirvana.
Spudtastic Flavour Combinations
- Keep it Simple: Butter, salt, pepper
- Classic Potato: Sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, bacon
- Italian Style: Mozzarella, parmesan, tomato sauce, fresh chopped tomatoes, oregano
- Big Flavour: Buffalo sauce, sour cream, green onions, gorgonzola cheese
- Creamy: Ranch dressing, bacon bits, green onions
- Spicy: Add cooked chickpeas and curry powder (to taste)
- Comfort: Chop and steam broccoli, add shredded cheddar cheese
- Add Leftovers: Pile on chili / BBQ pulled pork / BBQ chicken and use potato as a base
Thomas Fresh Has you Covered – Literally
If you are looking to purchase ready-to-go foil wrapped russet potatoes – Thomas Fresh has you covered. Find our freshly packaged Foil Wrapped Russets at your local grocery store in Western Canada and beyond. We offer conveniently packaged foils in trays with 2,3,4 potatoes or pouches with 8 spuds to suit any occasion – whether it be a dinner for one or a family gathering. Some retailers carry our bulk foil wrapped russets as well. Find foil wrapped russet potatoes in the produce section and / or meat section of grocers.
