Chef and recipe developer Xanthe Ross has identified a widespread error that home cooks make when preparing potatoes: failing to adequately season the cooking water. According to Ross, this oversight can result in bland potatoes, whether they are destined for mash, roasting, or salad.
The Importance of Seasoning from the Start
Ross explained that potatoes absorb flavour while they cook, so adding salt at the end is insufficient. 'When it comes to potatoes, I would say really well-seasoned water because if you're starting off something, it wants to absorb as much salt as possible,' she said. She noted that many people are 'scared of salt' and underestimate how much is needed.
The chef recommends being generous with salt during boiling, personally preferring sea salt. She emphasised that this simple adjustment can elevate everyday meals without extra cost or ingredients.
Advice for Home Cooks
Ross's biggest piece of advice is: 'Don't overcomplicate it and season everything along the way. Don't just season at the end.' She believes that proper seasoning at each stage is key to maximising flavour.
AI in the Kitchen
Beyond cooking tips, Ross has partnered with Google Gemini to demonstrate how AI can simplify meal planning and travel. Gemini helps create organised shopping lists, plan meals with limited ingredients, and act as a personalised travel companion for researching destinations and building tailored itineraries based on individual interests and budgets.
