I grill all kinds of potatoes on a charcoal grill all summer long. But, I haven’t mastered a grilling technique that guarantees results where the potatoes aren’t charred on the outside and raw on the inside. So, I wrap them in foil and basically steam them. They taste good, but this isn’t what I am going for.
I recently decided to give potatoes a go on the George Foreman Grill. Why hadn’t I done this before? It worked much better and I can have grilled potatoes all year long, not just in the summer. I tried both red skinned white potatoes and orange fleshed sweet potatoes. Both turned out well.
Nutritional Value of Potatoes
Potatoes in general are a good source of starch and dietary fiber. All potatoes are a good source of the B vitamins. White fleshed potatoes are also rich in vitamin C and iron.
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene; hence, they are very high in vitamin A. Beta-carotene is what gives some vegetables their bright colors. It is an antioxidant that protects the body from damaging free radicals. Sweet potatoes are also rich in manganese.
It should be pointed out that it is not recommended to eat raw potatoes. But, they are extremely versatile when it comes to cooking them. They can be baked, boiled, steamed, sautéed, or grilled. Any way you cook them they make a great side dish for any meal, especially when served with steaks or burgers.
Grilled Red Skinned Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 3 or 4 medium red skinned potatoes
- Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to coat
- 2 tsps paprika
- Sea salt and cracked pepper to taste
Total time:15 min – Prep time:5 min – Cook time:10 min – Serves:2 people
Author: Diana
Directions:
1. Heat the GF grill to high.
2. Leave the skin on the potatoes. Slice into 1/4” thick rounds and coat all sides with EVOO, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Grill for up to 10 minutes with the top closed. Check at 7 minutes.
Grilled Sweet Potatoes with a Kick
Ingredients:
- 1 large sweet potato
- Extra virgin olive oil to coat
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (more if desired)
- Sea salt and cracked pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Heat the GF grill to high.
2. Peel the sweet potato. Cut in half horizontally. Slice the halves into rectangular fries that are 1/4” to 1/2″ approximately.
3. Toss the potatoes in EVOO, garlic, cayenne, salt and pepper to evenly coat.
4. Cook the fries on the grill with the top closed for approximately 10 minutes. The timing will depend on how much moisture is in the potatoes. After 5 minutes you may want to turn the fries, as the bottom sides tend to cook faster and darker.
Add a Grilled Burger to Those Potatoes
Foreman grilled burgers are a perfect accompaniment to these potatoes. While the potatoes are grilling prepare your burgers by making patties of either beef or turkey with your favorite seasonings. They should be approximately 1/2″ thick for best cooking results. You can add a little fat to the turkey so it doesn’t dry out, such as a pat of butter in the center of the burger.
Beef burgers will cook on high in 3 to 6 minutes, depending on the preferred doneness. Turkey should cook a full 6 to 8 minutes to be sure they are cooked all the way through. Remember to use the drip pan.
Have your buns ready and all the toppings: cheese, catsup (ketchup), lettuce, onions, tomatoes, pickles….. I personally like guacamole on my burgers. Here is an easy recipe.
Easy Guacamole
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados
- Juice from 1/4 lime
- 1/4 cup of your favorite salsa
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Directions
1. Slice the avocados all the way around the pit. Separate the halves and remove the pit by carefully banging the heel of the knife blade into it and popping it out (or use a spoon). Spoon the flesh into a bowl. Mash the avocado with a fork until creamy with a few chunks for texture.
2. Stir in all the other ingredients.
3. Serve a spoonful on top of each burger.
Guacamole doesn’t keep for very long. If you have some left over, place it in a storage container and squeeze lime juice on top to keep it from turning gray. Cover tightly and refrigerate.
Avocados are a super healthy source of monounsaturated fat that is reported to help lower LDL cholesterol. They are also a good source of fiber and Omega 3 fatty acids. So, enjoy your potatoes and burgers without guilt.
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