Spuds Central

Okay...so all of you like potatoes, right? I mean, they're extremely healthy - don't believe all that South Beach mumbo jumbo about how they have too many carbs. Sure, they have carbs - don't get me wrong. But they're healthy carbs! And healthy carbs do a body good!

I think all of us like breakfast potatoes - the warm and mealy potatoes, the zesty onions, some peppers and...yum!

It's not news that potatoes can be prepared in many different ways - and it's not news that the skins are the healthiest part of the potato, right? So then, why do we peel them?

I implore you all - WASH your potatoes - take a look at what Wisegeek.com reported about potato skins:

"Potato skins store many nutrients and also contain a lot of fiber, which is essential for a healthy diet. Leaving the potato skins on also helps preserve the nutrients in the flesh of the potato, which have a tendency to escape during cooking. Based on a 2000 calorie diet, a large baked potato, including the skin, has 278 calories. Only 3 of these calories are from fat. A baked potato contains only 1% of the fat allowance considered as part of a healthy diet, with 0% of this being saturated fat."

Only 3 calories from fat!

So once you have cut your potatoes to your desired shape, choose your weapon: mine is a large, seasoned wok. Heat oil or melt butter (oil is better for a wok) and add the potatoes. The trick now is to turn the heat down - you don't want to burn your potatoes. The secret is slow cooking. They will take time, and you will need to taste one to determine if its done. It's not an exact science.

During the cooking process, add your spice: again, to taste. No exact quantities here. My spices of choice are garlic powder, sea salt, pepper, and a blend of italian herbs. Don't overdo it on the garlic - it has a tendency to burn, so add it later on in the cooking process.

And there you have it! A wonderfully healthy, filling breakfast dish that's high in fiber and GOOD carbs - which are necessary for that one thing that we all need - energy!