An easy Potato Porridge recipe that needs simple ingredients, gets ready in a few minutes and is perfect for lunch or midweek dinner. Potatoes are a great substitute for african yams in many recipes and this luscious potato pottage is one of them. Interested? Learn how to prepare this easy potato recipe in a few steps, photos included.
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Potato Porridge (Potato Pottage)
Creating variety of meals gives me joy. So recently I have been cooking up a storm in my diaspora kitchen with a variety of African meals. So don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any of this deliciousness.
That being said we haven't eaten yams for a while. I usually don't buy yams in bulk because if you don't eat them up within a certain period of time, they go bad and since I am trying to live a low carb life , that simply means I don't need to buy an entire box. I buy what my family needs.
But If I get it on sale which is rare, the frugal mama in me kicks in HAHA, so I may decide to buy in bulk and freeze. Anyway yesterday the kiddos were craving some yam porridge. I decided to run by the African Store and pick up some yams.
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The yams were 2 (7in) yams for $16 hmmm I was like what?? ??? nahhh.... Since i had been toying with the idea of making yam porridge with potatoes, I decided to go ahead and give it a go. Need I say it turned out so delicoius I had to share.
What is the best potato for Potato Porridge (Pottage)
Unlike Mashed Potatoes, Potato Porridge is more forgiving with respect to the type of potatoes that would work perfectly. All potatoes are actually welcome to this recipe. I like to use Russet and Idaho Potatoes most of the time but I have also used Yukon gold and Red potataoes. I also have a delicious Kale sweet potato porridge you should check out.
Ingredients needed to make this delicious Potato Pottage
- Potato of choice. Russet, Idaho or Irish, Yukon, etc. Check this post for Sweet Potato Porridge.
- Crayfish Powder (can substitute with fish powder)
- Chicken Bouillon Powder
- Red Bell Pepper
- Green Bell Pepper (Optional)
- Onions
- Palm oil (can be substituted with vegetable oil)
How to make Potato Porridge (Pottage)
*This is an overview with step by step photos, full recipe instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Pic 1-3; Add water to cubed potataoes, turn on heat, add chopped onions, pepper flakes, etc see recipe card for full details. Cook till tender.
Pic 4-6; Blend red bell peppers, heat up oil and sautee onions
Pic 7-9; Add blended bell pepper to sauteed onions cook, then add to cooked potatoes.
[bctt tweet="A Yummy Yam Porridge Recipe substitute for when those African Yams turn to GOLD." username="mydiaspokitch"]
Quick Recipe Notes and Tips
- The potatoes can easily get over cooked and become mushy still delicious but not what we are aiming for. Make sure to keep an eye on it while it cooks.
- Because of the waxy nature of some potatoes you may need more water than when you are making traditional yam pottage/porridge. If you notice its too thick, dont be afraid to add more liquid.
- You can substitute water for stock. If you decide to do that cut down on the boiuillon and salt.
Other Potato Recipes to try
- Mashed Potatoes; learn to make the best mashed Potatoes with tips
- Double fried French Fries; restaurant style french fries Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside.
- Sweet Potato Porridge; a delicious twist to traditional yam porridge
- Cottage Pie; The best thing that happened to meats and potatoes
Did you enjoy the recipe or found it helpful, Leave me a comment and share with your family and friends and in your favorite favorite facebook group.
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Potato Porridge Recipe ( Potato Pottage)
Ingredients
- 5 lbs potatoes peeled and cut into quarters
- 2 medium Red bell peppers coarsely blended
- ½ medium green bell pepper chopped
- 2 medium onions chopped and divided
- ¼ cup coarsely ground crayfish or 2 cans of Tuna fish.
- ½ Tablespoon Pepper flakes
- ½ Tablespoon bouillon powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt more to taste
- ½ -¾ cup palm oil
Instructions
Make Potatoes:
- Put the quartered potatoes in a clean pot.
- Add enough water to a level about 1 inch above the and potatoes in the pot.
- Add chopped onions, crayfish, bouillon, salt
- Cook till the potatoes are tender.
Make Sauce:
- While the potatoes are cooking, begin to prepare the sauce.
- Sauté ½ of chopped onions till transluscent and fragrant.
- Pour in the coarsely blended red bell peppers, add salt and cook till liquid evaporates and it's reduced in volume.
- Add the chopped green bell pepper if using, stir, then turn off heat.
- Pour sauce into pot of cooked potatoes, mix in to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust accoedingly. (don't worry if some of the potatoes are broken, while you mix that's what helps to thicken the sauce of the yummy porridge.)
- Allow to simmer for about a minute.
- Turn off heat. Serve warm
Notes
- It will be helpful if you start making the sauce as soon as you begin to cook the potataoes.
- You can add more oil up to 2 tablespoon if you'd like more oil
Oyinda
It ended up very delicious but far too watery. I had to pour half the amount of water you recommended away to get the right results when it was almost too late.
Chichi Uguru
Hi Oyinda,
Thank you for your feedback. There are various factors that can affect the outcome. Some potatoes are more starchy than others. Such potatoes thicken the sauce.
I find that when you start cooking it may seem like that liquid is a lot. However by the time the porridge is done, you would find that it thickens as it cools. Did this happen to you?
Happy you found a way to make it work and still enjoyed your porridge. 😊
-Chichi
Cynthia
Looks quite delicious! Made mine starting with the sauce and adding the potatoes last.Gave same result.What's the veggie sprinkled on top!
Chichi Uguru
Hi Cynthia,
Thank you for your kind comment and feedback. Happy you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for sharing your twist of making the sauce first, I should try that too. The vegetable sprinkled on top is chopped kale. You can use any other vegetable like spinach etc!
- Chichi
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Eve
Tried this recipe, after managing to get through all the ads on this page and unfortunately it didnt come out as described, could be as a result of not using the exact type of potatoes on the list of ingredients.
Chichi Uguru
Hi Eve,
Thank you for reaching out. This recipe has been tested several times and works. However I'd be happy to help you troubleshoot if you could be more explicit as to what didn't come out as described. Was it the texture, consistency, anything that can help me help you.
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-Chichi
Abi
I had to try this recipe after seeing it on Instagram. It was the best faux yam po I have ever tried. I had to book mark your yam Porridge recipe cos I thought to myself that if this tasted so good with potatoes, it must taste out of this world with real African yams lol. Thank you.
Chichi Uguru
Yayy! Happy you liked it Abi, this recipe seems to be loved by instagram lol. Yes the yam po tastes great as well. Let me know if you give it a try. Thanks for your feedback. Stay safe!
- Chichi
Ajoke
I saw the snippet of this pottage on Instagram, I had to come here for the recipe. It looks so good and simple to make.
Chichi Uguru
Yayy!! Thank you Ajoke for checking it out. It’s so delicious and easy to make. 😀 Stay safe!
- Chichi