Potatoes fall into two main categories: the waxy and the starchy type. Each of these varieties needs to be prepared and cooked in a certain way in order to bring out the best in them, and the starchy ...

So many potato-based recipes start with the same step: “Boil the potatoes.” You see it time and again in recipes for mashed potatoes, potato salad, and more. But it’s not a straightforward technique.

Learn how to boil potatoes on the stove, in a slow cooker, and in the microwave—plus how to test when they're ready to eat. Boiled potatoes require different cooking times based on their size and ...