All the reasons to choose potato

The potato is perfecto in every kind of situation.

Adam Liaw's no-mix potato salad puts a pretty spin on a classic fave. Credit: Kitti Gould

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The Cook Up with Adam Liaw

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Recently the Instagram page Very British Problems asked its 834,000 followers which three vegetables they would eat if they could only eat three for the rest of their life.

The word 'potato' came up in just about every response.

We reckon you could ask the same question in any culture and the response would be exactly the same. There is no more tasty, nutritious and versatile veggie than the humble spud.

There's nothing you can't make with it and everything you do tastes better than everything else, full stop.

Big words, sure. But just try a few of these recipes this week and see if you don't send potatoes straight to the top of your top three list.

Lo-fi party

The potato gets top-marks when your motivation is hours with your friends, not hours in the kitchen. Credit: Adam Liaw

You've never heard of a jacket potato party? You haven't lived! Or, at least, you haven't entertained in the easiest, breeziest, yummiest way possible.

Handy gem

If Adam says it's good, it's good. Credit: Kitti Gould

Okay, so potato gems might be stretching the definition of potato a bit, but there's no denying that those little golden nuggets are terrifically (terrifyingly) tasty. This is why they make such a tasty, not to mention super easy, topping for shepherd's pie. Go on, try it!

Baked in fun

Rakott krumpli (Hungarian Potato Bake) Credit: Kitti Gould

Sign us up for this Hungarian dish that adds sausage and eggs into a buttery, creamy potato bake situation. We know what you're thinking and yes, rakott krumpli would indeed make the ideal brunch dish for a big group of your foodie faves.

Skinning around

Cheesy potato skin nachos ensures that every last bit of the potato is put to good use. Credit: Adam Liaw

Who needs corn chips for nachos when you've got potato skins lying around? Probably leftover from making endless potato bakes (see above). They've got all the cracking crunch of a good chip but with added potato goodness.

Everything tortilla

Think of Sammy Jakubiak's tortilla recipe as more of a guide to suit whatever you have on hand at home.

This potato tortilla is another useful recipe that lets you throw in whatever you need to use up in the fridge or pantry to great effect. Keep it simple, make it herby or add a ton of veggies - however it comes, it goes down well.

King salad

A barbecue isn't a barbecue without a potato salad. Everyone makes the 'best one', but we reckon Adam Liaw's no-mix version would take some beating. It certainly wins for being the prettiest.

Heir apparent

Mum’s potato salad Credit: Adam Liaw

Okay, so Rae Johnstone begs to differ: "This recipe is shamelessly stolen from my Mum, whose potato salad is – to put it simply – the best." The gloves are off, Adam.

Soup's up

Baking potatoes before turning them into soup is worth the extra wait time. Credit: Adam Liaw

Potato soup is another perennial favourite. This version bakes the potato before blitzing, creating a deeper, nuttier flavour. If you're more of a traditionalist, this potato and leek soup recipe is your go-to.

Shaken and stirred

The key tip to success in this recipe is not to overcook the potatoes, so they retain some texture. Credit: Kitti Gould

Suanla tudousi is a traditional hot and sour shredded potato side dish that you'll never make just once. It's acidic, fresh and mouth-tingling thanks to a generous helping of Sichuan peppercorns.

Ready for a dip

This dish is especially for crispy potato lovers. Credit: Adam Liaw

Another nicely-spiced bake, this one adds garlic and allspice to your standard roast potatoes. The resulting potatoes make excellent dippers for beetroot hummus (or any Middle Eastern-inspired dip, really).

Fry this one

This fried potato with chilli and curry leaf dish comes from Nagesh Seethiah’s childhood table.

If you're lucky (and this fried potato dish is very lucky) the simplest ingredients come together to create something memorable. Nagesh’s childhood favourite was so good his mother "would always have to compete with the kids eating the potatoes before she had dinner on the table!”

Lamb lover

Potato and lamb go so well together (think of shepherd's pie or moussaka or a lamb roast). In that spirit, these lamb and potato koftes are about to blow your taste buds' tiny minds.

Ahem, of course, taste buds have their mind... otherwise, we'd all be able to stay from roast potatoes and we can't. We just can't.