Potatoes can be served as a vegetable and are also a great staple food. There are many classic ways to eat potatoes in China. Stir-fried shredded potatoes, beef stew with potatoes, and Di San Xian are the three most common home-style dishes. Let's review which one is the healthiest.
Stir-fried Shredded Potatoes
The traditional method involves stir-frying the shredded potatoes directly in a wok, which requires a lot of oil to prevent sticking. I recommend a modified method: blanch the shredded potatoes in boiling water until they are about 60% cooked, then drain them. Heat oil in a wok, and when it's hot, stir-fry scallions and ginger until fragrant (I also like to add a little Sichuan peppercorn powder). Then, add a small amount of shredded chili and shredded carrot (for color and nutritional balance), a little vinegar (to keep the potatoes crispy), and stir-fry. Season with salt and monosodium glutamate, then serve.
Review: This改良 (modified) traditional method reduces the amount of oil used, returning to the original "plain" stir-fry concept. The color and nutritional combination is excellent, and it is highly recommended.
Beef Stew with Potatoes
There are many ways to make this dish; you can look up recipes online and find one you like.
Review: The ingredients are well-matched, with complementary nutrients, and it is easy to digest and absorb. Highly recommended.
Di San Xian
Add a generous amount of oil to a wok. When the oil is about 70% hot, add the potato cubes and deep-fry until golden and slightly translucent, then remove. Then, add the eggplant and deep-fry until golden, then add the green pepper and remove together. Use a small amount of hot oil to sauté scallions and minced garlic until fragrant. Add broth, light soy sauce, sugar, and salt. Add the eggplant, potatoes, and green pepper and simmer briefly. Thicken with a starch slurry and reduce the sauce over high heat.
Review: This is a traditional Shandong dish. Not only are nutrients severely destroyed, but it also contains a large amount of oil, making the nutritional profile very unbalanced. Not recommended for consumption.