Potato Pearls

I POSTED THIS YESTERDAY BUT FOR SOME REASON IT DIDN'T SAVE. I'M REPOSTING IT AGAIN TODAY!
How many of you have Potato Pearls in #10 cans in your food storage? Are you using them? I love the idea that Mashed potatoes are just a couple of minutes away. These are a great storage item and can be purchased at most food storage providers. These continue to be a cannery item if you dry pack at the cannery however, they can only be purchased in boxes now (then you can dry pack if you wish). Here are some recipes for using your potato pearls.

I think these are a great food storage item and are very versatile in other recipes as well. If you don’t have any pearls, think about getting some. They are economical and a fun addition to your storage.

Potato Pearls
Basic Recipe for making Mashed Potatoes from Potato Pearls
Bring 2 to 2 ¼ c. water to a boil Remove from heat. Stir in 1 c. potato pearls with a fork just until potatoes are wet. Allow to stand until water is absorbed. Stir once more just before serving. Y: 4 servings

Shepherd’s Pie
Quick and Easy! It's all out of a can, and especially when you use potato pearls for the top!
Heat in a skillet:
1 Can Ground Hamburger (Or cook & drain your fresh ground beef)
1 C Cooked Rice
1 Pint of tomatoes, tomato soup, or tomato sauce – thin with milk
1 can drained Green Beans
1 can drained corn
Salt and pepper to taste
pour hot mixture into 9x9” baking dish
Top with thick mashed potatoes and shredded cheddar.
Microwave for 4 or 5 minutes to melt the cheese or heat in the oven or under the broiler until warm and cheese is melted and bubbly.

This recipe for Tater-Dogs came from a friend. These tater dogs are her boys’ favorite after school snack. Using potato pearls instead of regular mashed potatoes, makes them quick and much healthier than other sugary snacks. A great idea!

After School Tater-Dogs
Potato Pearls
1 wiener per person
Grated Cheese
Ketchup & Mustard
Prepare 1 serving of potato pearls per person
Cook 1 wiener and split in half lengthwise. Top with 2 scoops potato pearls on split wiener (use an ice cream or cookie scoop) and sprinkle with cheese. Heat in oven or microwave to melt the cheese. Serve with ketchup and mustard.

Baked Mashed Potato Omelet
Serves 4
1 green or red peppers chopped fine
1 c. finely chopped onion
1 ½ c. sliced mushrooms
4 T. oil
8 eggs
3 c. mashed potatoes
½ c. Parmesan cheese, grated
Heat oven to 325. In a 12" non-stick skillet cook peppers, onion and mushrooms in 2 T. oil over medium heat, stirring, for 5-10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender (and all liquid is evaporated.) In a large bowl whisk eggs, potatoes and Parmesan cheese until mixture is combined. Stir in vegetable mixture. In skillet heat 2 Tbs. oil over moderate heat until hot, pour in egg mixture and bake 20 to 30 minutes, or until it is set. (If skillet handle is plastic, wrap it in a double thickness of foil.) Cut in wedges. Serve with Salsa.

Mashed-Potato Potato Pancakes
2 cups prepared potatoes pearls
1 Egg (lightly beaten)
6 T. All-purpose flour
1 ½ T. Onion (fine chopped)
2 T. Green Onions (chopped)
Salt and pepper to taste
In a bowl, combine potatoes and the egg. Stir in the flour thoroughly, and stir in the onion, green onions, and salt and pepper to taste. In a large heavy skillet, heat 1/8” oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking. Fry heaping tablespoons of the potato mixture, flattening them slightly with the back of the spoon, for 1 minute on each side, or until they are golden brown. Transfer the pancakes as they are cooked to paper towels to drain and if desired, keep them warm on a rack set on a baking sheet in a preheated 250º.

Potato Pearl Bread
5 c. milk
½ c. shortening
½ c. sugar
½ c. potato pearls
2 T. salt
2 T. yeast
9-11 c. flour
Microwave milk until hot. Place shortening, sugar, salt and potato pearls in a large bowl. Pour hot milk over shortening mixture and stir until potato pearls are dissolved. Cool. Add yeast. Mix in enough flour to form a soft dough, then knead 6 minutes. Cover and let rise. Form into loaves and place in four loaf pans. Let them rise. Bake at 350º for 35 minutes.

Potato Rolls
Dissolve:
2 pkg. yeast (5 t.)
¼ c. warm water
2 c. milk
¾ c. sugar
½ c. shortening
1/3 c. potato pearls
2 eggs
2 t. salt
8 c. flour (approximately)
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Scald milk, sugar and shortening and set aside. Mix potato pearls with hot water to equal one cup. When milk mixture has cooled to lukewarm, mix with potato water, yeast, eggs and salt. Add about 8 cups flour. Knead until smooth and elastic. Raise until double. Punch down, roll out ½” thick. Cut in 3 to 3 ½” circles. Fold in half, pinch edges together. Place on greased cookie sheet. Raise until double (approx. 45 minutes). Bake at 375º for 10-15 minutes. Y: 3 ½ dozen.

Potato Cinnamon Rolls
Roll out Potato Roll dough (above) into a rectangle. Spread with butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, nuts. Roll dough up into a roll and pinch the seam closed. Cut in 1 1/2 inch slices. Place in greased 9x13” pan and bake at 375º for 10-15 minutes.

Potato Candy
½ c. mashed potatoes
Powdered (confectioners’ sugar)
Peanut butter
Combine ½ c. mashed potatoes and powdered sugar till it is firm enough to roll. Mixture will become very wet; keep adding powdered sugar. Roll out on powdered sugared surface like noodles. Cover with peanut butter. Roll into jelly roll and cut into small pieces. Very rich!

Other Ideas for Potato Pearls:
-Use as a side dish of mashed potatoes.
-Use to thicken soup, stew or gravy; simply add a handful to your dish and stirring until dissolved.
-Use as the crust for shepherd's pie or other main dishes or casseroles calling for mashed potatoes.
-Use in recipes for doughnuts (spud nuts) or breads or candies calling for mashed potatoes