The Potato Challenge - Overview

On Monday nights I usually join a group of friends for a pot-luck dinner at a friend's house.  In August of 2015 I happened to bring a potato dish 2 weeks in a row.  Someone commented on the fact that people rarely brought potatoes to a potluck anymore and that he had almost forgotten how much he liked them. 

Somehow potatoes have gotten this reputation that they are not healthy.  Something about the glycemic index and that they were high in carbs - and - gasp - definitely not paleo. Granted some potato dished don't pass as a healthy food, but what's that old adage?  Everything in moderation! Trust me, a potato can be part of your balanced diet - even if you are a diabetic. 

As a German, the humble potato is a staple food for me - and I know that my mother could make potato dishes for a month without repeating herself.  Oh, and I am not talking about just changing the toppings on your baked potato, the spices used on your fries or the dressing on your potato salad. 

So I threw out a challenge for myself on a Monday in August of 2015.  I would be bringing potatoes to every Monday night potluck- and I would not repeat myself for as long as I could. 

Here is an overview of the potato dishes I have already made.  Recipes will be updated and added as time permits. 


Monday, August 31, 2015

• Theme: Grilling Out
• My Dish: Cheesy Hash Browns
• Source Recipe(s): Crockpot Hashbrown Casserole

Monday, September 07, 2015

• Theme: Grilling Out
• My Dish: Roasted Potato With Fennel And Lemon
• Source Recipe(s):  Roasted Potatoes, Fennel And Meyer Lemon, Mary Berry Cooks: Roasted Fennel, Onion and Potato with Parmesan Topping 

Monday, September 14, 2015 through October 5, 2015 I either could not make it to dinner or was on vacation in Germany - scoring new potato recipes no doubt.

Monday, October 12, 2015

• Theme: No theme
• My Dish: Schupfnudeln
• Source Recipe(s): Badische Schupfnudeln (recipe in English)

Monday, October 26, 2015

• Theme: Thai
• My Dish: Thai Potatoes
• Source Recipe(s): Potatoes Thai Style, Thai Style Sautéed Potatoes

Monday, November 02, 2015

• Theme: Jewish Recipes
• My Dish: Latkes
• Source Recipe(s): How to Make Crispy Perfect Latkes Every Time, 

Monday, November 16, 2015

• Theme: No Theme
• My Dish: Kroketten (Croquettes)
• Source Recipe(s): Kroketten, Kartoffelkroketten / Potato Croquettes, Kartoffel-Kroketten

Monday, November 23, 2015

• Theme: No Theme
• My Dish: Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Source Recipe: Alton Brown’s Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes,

Monday, December 07, 2015

• Theme: Mexican Food
• My Dish: Mexican Potato Soup
• Source Recipe(s): Mexican Potato Soup

Monday, December 14, 2015

• Theme: Indian Food
• My Dish: Recipe On Back Of Indian Spice Box
• Source Recipe(s): 

Monday, December 28, 2015

• Theme: Vegan Food
• My Dish: Vegan Potatoes
• Source Recipe(s): Creamy Vegan Potato Soup

Monday, January 04, 2016

• Theme: No Theme
• My Dish: Purple Rolls 2 Way
• Source Recipe(s): Garlic Potato Rolls

Monday, January 11, 2016

• Theme: No Theme
• My Dish: Duchess Potatoes (Purple)
• Source Recipe(s): 

Monday, January 18, 2016

• Theme: Venezuelan Food
• My Dish: Venezuelan Potato Salad
• Source Recipe(s): Ensalada Rusa or Russian (South American) Potato Salad

Monday, January 25, 2016

• Theme: Comfort Foods
• My Dish: Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole
• Source Recipe(s): Hashbrown Casserole

Monday, February 1, 2016

• Theme: Carribean
• My Dish: Carribean Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Source Recipe(s): Aloo Choka (Caribbean Garlic Mashed Potatoes), Aloo Choka, A Unique Twist On Garlic Mashed Potato.
  I found other fun recipes online, and was almost sad that I had to restrict myself to just one…
  Other options for Carribean potatoes were things like Mummy's Easy, Cheesy, Caribbean "Scalloped" Potatoes, Fiery Roasted Jerk Potatoes, Caribbean Potato Curry, Caribbean Style Spicy Baked Potatoes or this collection of Caribbean Potato Recipes

Monday, February 15, 2016

• Theme: Japanese Food
• My Dish: Korokke
• Source Recipe(s): Korokke - Japanese Potato Croquettes, Japanese Meat and Potato Korokke, Korroke with Tonkatsu Sauce (Japanese Potato Croquettes with Eas)

Monday, February 22, 2016

• Theme: Italian
• My Dish: Gnocchi
• Source Recipe(s): 

Monday, February 29, 2016

• Theme: No Theme
• My Dish: Potato Skins
• Source Recipe(s): Cheesy Bacon Potato Skins (Note Expert Tips), Easy Potato Skins, Potato Skin Topping Options (Answers.com), NFL Potato Skins, Potato Skins with Bacon and Cheese

Monday, March 07, 2016

• Theme: Indian Food
• My Dish: Aloo Gobi
• Source Recipe(s): Cauliflower and Potatoes: "Aloo Gobi" By Aarti Sequeira (includes video),Aloo Gobi Curry Recipes
• Other Options: Indian Potato Spring Rolls, Indian Potato Spring Rolls (Oh Sweet Basil blog)

Monday, March 14, 2016

• Theme: Chinese Food
• My Dish: Birds Nest
• Source Recipe(s): Chinese Bird’s Nest Potatoes
• I was looking for things like “Chinese Shredded Potatoes with Chili and Vinegar”, Chinese Stir-Fried Potato, Chinese Potato Pancake, Sichuan Stir-Fried Potatoes, Yummly Chinese Potatoes and Stir-fried Shredded Potato when my daughter suggested I make Chinese Bird’s Nest Potatoes instead

I also made a small version of these: 

Monday, March 21, 2016

• Theme: Spring
• My Dish: Potato Filled Spring Rolls
• Source Recipe(s): Loaded Baked Potato Spring Rolls, Grand Lux Cafe Double Stuffed Potato Spring Rolls, Loaded Mashed Potatoes Spring Rolls – EASY (video), Mashed Potato Lumpia... (Spring Roll Recipe) (video in a language I don’t understand)
  
  
  
• We were debating an “Easter” theme, before the “spring” idea came around.  The recipes I considered before settling on spring rolls reflect that fact: Easter Egg Potatoes, Spring Garden Potato Salad, Spring Potato Baskets

Monday, March 28, 2016

• Theme: Breakfast
• My Dish: Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole (enhanced with Bacon)
• Source Recipe(s): Slow Cooker Bacon, Egg & Hash Brown Casserole

Monday, April 04, 2016

• Theme: Tacos
• My Dish: Chorizo Potato Tacos
• Source Recipe(s): Chorizo Potato Tacos, Crispy Potato and Chorizo Tacos, Chorizo and Potato Tacos, Potato, Poblano, and Chorizo Tacos, Potato and Chorizo Tacos, Rick's Potato and Chorizo Tacos with Avocado Salsa
• Other Options: Crispy Potato Rajas Tacos, Potato Tacos

Monday, April 11, 2016

• Theme: British Food
• My Dish: Cottage Pie (That's Shepherds Pie without the lamb.)
• Source Recipe(s): Martha Stewart’s Shepherd’s Pie, Alton Brown’s Shepherd’s Pie

Monday, April 18, 2016

• Theme: Spanish Food
• My Dish: Spanish Potatoes (Patatas Bravas)
• Source Recipe(s): Simple Patatas Bravas, Spanish Roasted Potatoes with Tomato Sauce, Crispy Potatoes with Spicy Tomato Sauce
• Other options I considered: Spanish Potatoes, Spanish-Style Potatoes, Yummly’s Spanish Potato Side Dishes

Monday, April 25, 2016

• Theme: Moroccan Food
• My Dish: Moroccan Potato Cakes (Maakouda Batata)
• Source Recipe(s): Moroccan-Spiced Potato Pancakes,
• Recipes I considered for an African theme: Hot Pot Potatoes (African Stewed Potatoes), Potatoes Bhajias, Moroccan Potato Salad, Chayote-Potato Cakes

Monday, May 02, 2016

• Theme: Mexican Star Wars
• My Dish: Potato And Cheese Flautas (with green sauce to make them look like a light saber)
• Source Recipe(s): Potato and Cheese Flautas with a Cheese Enchilada Sauce, Potato Flautas, Potato and Cheese Flautas, Confetti Mash Potato Flautas with Hot Tomatillo Sauce, for info on reheating Chicken Flautas
• Other Options: Chorizo and Potato Flautas

Monday, May 09, 2016

• Theme: Cajun
• My Dish: Cajun Roasted Potatoes
• Source Recipe(s): Way Too Easy Cajun Potatoes, Roasted Cajun Potatoes
• Other Options: Cajun Stuffed Potatoes These looked really good, but were incompatible with some people's red and green pepper sensitivities.  I may have to start making 2 dishes, if I want to be more adventurous.

Monday, May 16, 2016

• Theme: Salads
• My Dish: Potato Salad
• Source Recipe(s): Taste of Home: Kartoffelsalat (German potato salad) UPDATED! My Mom's potato salad, which is really the only recipe I'll consider for to be "real" German potato salad.
• Other Options: I know that there are lots of other options.  Loaded Baked Potato Salad is one I have enjoyed in the past.  

Monday, May 22, 2016

• Theme: Pot Luck
• My Dish: Phyllo Potato Bites with Cheese and Bacon
• Source Recipe(s): Loaded Potato Phyllo Shells, Phyllo Potato Bites
• Other Recipes Considered:

Monday, May 29, 2016

• No dinner on account of the Memorial Day camping trip

Monday, June 6, 2016

• Theme: Smörgåsbords - Swedish Foods
• My Dish: Hasselback Potatoes
• Source Recipe(s): Hasselbackspotatis, Oven-Baked Potatoes Hasselbacken, Best Hasselback Potato Recipe

Monday, June 13, 2016

• Theme: Food
• My Dish: Potatoes Au Gratin
• Source Recipe(s): Make-ahead Potatoes au Gratin,

Monday, June 20, 2016

• Theme: "Tasty" recipes (Video recipes that show up in people's Facebook feed)
• My Dish: Pizza Tots with Tomato dipping sauce
• Source Recipe(s): Tasty Pizza Tots

Monday, June 27, 2016

• Theme: Balls
• My Dish: Cuban Potato Balls (Papas Rellenas)
• Source Recipe(s): The Candid Appetite's Cuban Potato Balls

Monday, July 4, 2016

• Missed the dinner to celebrate the 4th with family.  (Theme was "cook-out")

Monday, July 11, 2016

• Theme: Thai
• My Dish: Thai Potato and Vegetable Yellow Curry (vegan)
• Source Recipe(s): Slow cooker Thai yellow curry, Yellow chicken curry with potatoes, Thai potato and vegetable curry

Monday, July 18, 2016

• Theme: Farmer's Market/ Local
• My Dish: Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden copy car recipe)
• Source Recipe(s): Zuppa Toscana

Monday, July 25, 2016

• Theme: No theme
• My Dish: French Fries
• Source Recipe(s): No source.  Just put Grocery store seasoned fries in the deep fryer!

Monday, August 1, 2016

• Theme: Science Fair
• My Dish: Volcano Potatoes
• Source Recipe(s): Huffington Post: Volcano Potatoes

Monday, August 8, 2016

• Theme: The color "green"
• My Dish: Colcannon
• Source Recipe(s): Colcannon

Monday, August 15, 2016

• Theme: Jamaican
• My Dish: Spicy Jamaican potato wedges
• Source Recipe(s): Spicy Jamaican potato wedges

Monday, August 22, 2016

• Theme: Depression Era Food
• My Dish: 
• Source Recipe(s):

Monday, August 29, 2016

• Theme: Indian food
• My Dish: Samosas
• Source Recipe(s):

Monday, September 5, 2016

• Theme: Indian food
• My Dish: Aloo egg Curry
• Source Recipe(s): Aloo egg curry

Monday, September 12, 2016

• Theme: Cajun cuisine
• My Dish: Cajun Potato Salad
• Source Recipe(s): Boiled Cajun Potatoes, Cajun potato salad, Creole potato salad

Monday, September 19, 2016

• Theme: Favorite foods
• My Dish: Roesti
• Source Recipe(s): Alton Brown's Roesti

Monday, September 26, 2016

• Theme: Family Recipes
• My Dish: Saure Scheiben
• Source Recipe(s): Sour potatoes, Saure Scheiben, Saure Scheiben a la Artur

Monday, October 3, 2016

• Theme: Jewish Recipes
• My Dish:  I missed this day, but had looked up recipes to make.
• Source Recipe(s): Potato Kugel (Smitten kitchen) , Passover Potato Kugel

Monday, October 10, 2016

• Theme: Canadian Thanksgiving
• My Dish:  Poutine (Not part of Canadian Thanksgiving, but it was my excuse to finally try that.).
• Source Recipe(s): 

Monday, October 17, 2016

• Theme: Japanese
• My Dish: Japanese Potato Salad
• Source Recipe(s): Japanese Potato Salad

Monday, October 24, 2016

• Theme: Chinese
• My Dish: Potato and Red Beans Stir Fry
• Source Recipe(s): Potato and Red Beans Stir Fry
• Other Recipes Considered: Spicy Chinese Potatoes, Sichuan Stir-Fried Potatoes

Monday, October 31, 2016

• Theme: Halloween
• My Dish: Mummy Potatoes (or rather - Alien Pinterest Fail potatoes)
• Source Recipe(s): Mummy Potatoes
• Other Recipes Considered: Halloween Mashed Potatoes (Brain), Creepy Crawly Idaho Potatoes

Monday, November 7, 2016

• No dinner 

Monday, November 14, 2016

• Theme: Comfort Foods
• My Dish: Parmesan Potato Stacks
• Source Recipe(s): Gaby's Parmesan Potato Stacks, Parmesan Potato Stacks

Monday, November 21, 2016

• Theme: Pies
• My Dish: Potato Pie
• Source Recipe(s): Mashed Potato Pie, Giada De Laurentiis' Mashed Potato Pie

Monday, November 28, 2016

• Theme: Tacos
• My Dish: Potato Tacos
• Source Recipe(s): Average Betty Potato Tacos (video)
• Other Recipes Considered: Crispy Potato Tacos, Spicy Potato Tacos, Cup of Zest: Spicy Potato Tacos

Monday, December 5, 2016

• Theme: Italian
• My Dish: Potato Frittata
• Source Recipe(s): Spinach and Potato Frittata, Bacon and Potato Frittata, Potato Frittata

Monday, December 12, 2016

• Theme: Soups
• My Dish: Eintopf (Potato stew with Spicy sausage)
• Source Recipe(s): Eintopf on wikipedia, 

Monday, December 19, 2016

• Theme: Jewish food in honor of Hannukah
• My Dish: Potato Kugel
• Source Recipe(s): Potato Kugel 

Monday, December 26, 2016

• No dinner on account of Christmas

Monday, January 2, 2017

• Theme: Curry
• My Dish: Potato Curry
• Source Recipe(s): Indian Potato Curry

Monday, January 9, 2017

• No dinner on account of Festivus

Monday, January 16, 2017

• Theme: Finger Foods
• My Dish: Potato Pinwheels 3-way (Pesto, Baked Potato, Corned Beef)
• Source Recipe(s): Pesto Potato Pinwheels, Loaded Potato Pinwheels

Monday, January 23, 2017

• Theme: Greek Food
• My Dish: Prassopita
• Source Recipe(s): Prassopita (Greek potato and leek pie),

Monday, January 30, 2017

• Theme: Space Foods
• My Dish: Homemade Potato Chips 
• Source Recipe(s): Worst Space Foods

Monday, February 6, 2017

• Theme: Foods from the following nations: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, and Somalia.
• My Dish: Persian Potato Pancakes
• Source Recipe(s): Persian Potato Pancakes

Monday, February 13, 2017

• Theme: French or Valentine's Candy
• My Dish: Aligot and Potato Candy
• Source Recipe(s): Aligot (Serious eats) and Potato Candy

Monday, February 20, 2017

• Theme: Italian
• My Dish: Potato Pizza
• Source Recipe(s): Potato Pizza

Monday, February 27, 2017

• Theme: German
• My Dish: Flammkuchen with potatoes
• Source Recipe(s): 

Monday, March 4th, 2017

• Theme: "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter/Where's the Beef," vegan recipes that leave no one wanting any yucky animal products.
• My Dish: Vegan Potato soup
• Source Recipe(s): Vegan Potato Soup

To be continued...


As always - Hail the great potato