For my birthday, I asked for presents that any typical teenager would ask for. I ended up receiving new clothes, a new left airpod (that’s a whole different story), and some stuff that I thought I might need for college. But, even though I am very grateful for all of these presents, my favorite gift that I received was a potato which was gifted to me by my sister. What many people when they hear about this gift automatically think about is the meme regarding the kid and the avocado. But no, this wasn’t a joke. And I am truly very happy about my potato.
In case you haven’t figured it out already, I LOVE potatoes! No, I do not eat raw potatoes, but I like almost every way potatoes can be cooked and prepared. So in honor of the potato I received for my birthday, I would like to share with you all some of my favorite ways, I like my potatoes prepared.
My absolute favorite way potatoes can be prepared is in my mom’s loaded baked potato soup recipe. This soup is full of 
creamy goodness. My mom only makes it in the cold months and it is something that I look forward to every year. Every bite contains soft potato chunks, melted cheese, and even some bacon chunks. I love this soup so much that last week I ate it for breakfast and lunch the day after we had it for dinner. And I do not regret my choice to do so. I can not wait to eat this soup one day again (hopefully soon).
Here is a link to a similar recipe for the soup! https://iwashyoudry.com/loaded-baked-potato-soup/
My next favorite way to eat potatoes is in the form of hashbrowns. When I go out to breakfast with my family, friends, 
or my team, my favorite thing to order is hashbrowns (especially from Honey Jam). But don’t you worry those hash browns better have some level of salt on them and ketchup on the side. The most unique way I have ever eaten hashbrowns was when I was going into my freshman year and I was in Florida for a basketball tournament. When my dad and I got off the plane we were starving and the closest place to the airport was a Waffle House. At the Waffle House, I got my hashbrowns served with sausage gravy and an egg on the top. And, it was honestly one of the best things I have ever eaten.
Another way I love to eat potatoes is in a dish that is commonly referred to as “funeral potatoes”. For my readers who 
don’t know what these are, it is basically cubed potatoes in a casserole pan with a bunch of cheese and other unhealthy ingredients with cornflakes on the top. It is then baked and then prepared to serve. When you scope out these potatoes they do not hold any shape but they taste amazing. I am honestly confused why this dish was given the name “funeral potatoes” because I only have happy memories tied to eating them.
Here is a link to a recipe for funeral potatoes if you would like to make some! https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/funeral-potatoes/
Another way I love my potatoes cooked is the way my dad cooks them. He uses the mini potatoes we find at the grocery store and cuts them into fourths. After that, he seasons them, puts some olive oil over them, then roasts them in the oven. When we are ready to eat dinner they are always so crispy on the outside but yet so soft on the inside. This is another form of potato that I love to eat with Ketchup. I know it will always be a gourmet dinner when this form of potato is cooked. This form of potatoes will always be something that reminds me of my dad as well because I don’t know anyone who can perfect them like he can.
So although my sister hasn’t cooked the potato she gifted me for my birthday, it is my favorite gift because I know she pays close attention to the random things that I love. For all my followers, let me know if you would like any other ideas on how to cook your potatoes. There are so many other recipes that I know and would love to share with you all.
Hi Abby! Reading your blog, I honestly felt like it was extremely relatable. Unlike you, I’ve never received a potato for my birthday but I feel like it’s a very interesting and useful gift to receive, especially because you can eat it. I thought it was endearing to see you say that it was one of your favourite gifts because even though a lot of people might see it as strangely simple, it’s a sign that she cares about what you like and dislike. I liked that your blog related your birthday gift back to your love for potatoes and how you like them prepared, and how you went into depth about some of your connections with them, like how your mom prepares the soup that you look forward to. Similarly to you, I also hold a love for potatoes. However, I’m quite disappointed to say that I have not tried a few of the ones that you mentioned,, but I do plan to hopefully try to make them sometime soon using the links you provided. Unfortunately for myself, I am not a good cook at all even with a provided recipe so I guess we’ll see how that goes and fingers crossed they turn out well. Either way, I loved reading your blog and seeing all the new recipes. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Abby! I love your blog, and it was such a unique, fun read. I cannot say that I have ever received a potato as a birthday gift, but your genuine excitement is contagious and it really shows that sometimes, the simple things in life are what make us happiest. I know it’s a very unpopular opinion, especially on a pro-potato blog post like this, but potatoes are not a personal favorite of mine. My sister was always a huge fan, and while I will still eat them, I wouldn’t immediately go for fries or a baked potato. However, the potato dishes you described sound really good, especially the potato soup! I will be making the recipe for that one very soon. Hashbrowns are not one of my favorite foods, but I will say that McDonald’s hashbrowns are AMAZING. Although that point, I have no idea how much potato there really is, but it still counts! Potatoes are so versatile, and I feel very inspired to try new methods of cooking them! All in all, I loved your blog post, and I definitely relate to your statement that the potato is the best gift you’ve received because it means your sister pays attention to all the things you love. As somebody who also has a sister, it is the best feeling to know they really do pay attention to you and love you, even if it means being gifted a vegetable.
Hey Abby! Reading this post was heartwarming; I think it’s so sweet that your sister paid such close attention to what you like and gave you a gift that was unique. Oftentimes, the simplest gifts can be the ones that show the most love and have the most meaning. When you started off by talking about receiving a potato for your birthday, I was so interested to see what you’d write about next, and the rest of the post was meaningful. I like that you used this experience to reflect and share some dishes you enjoy that include potatoes. It’s clear to see that you have memories associated with each dish since each can be cooked during certain times of the year (such as your mom’s soup) or on specific occasions with particular people. All of them related back to family, whether it was going to the basketball tournament with your dad, your mom’s cooking, or your sister’s gift. It’s cool to see how family can play an important role and have an influence on the foods we love most. I’ve never heard of funeral potatoes before, but I also love potatoes so I have something new to try now. Thanks for sharing the recipes!
Hey Abby! i love this blog post! Interesting that you love potatoes so much, but I am here for it! OOH I understand how your moms baked potato soup is mouthwatering, it sounds so good. Omg, you ate it for breakfast and lunch! I love how you including a link, so someone can make it if they really want to! Hashbrowns are good too, I’m not a huge fan of them but I can see how they are good. However I would go for the less risky way and just eat them with ketchup. Wow I’ve never had “funeral potatoes”, that sounds so interesting! Honestly, unhealthy food tastes pretty good so it can be hard for it to taste bad! Where are fries on this list? Fries are the ultimate best thing out of a potato! Your dads recipe sounds so good I make a similar one! Instead of the oven I put mine in the air fryer and it makes them more crispier! I love how you appreciate your sisters gift as it has a huge meaning behind it. You should also try gratin, it is french! My Mom would make this as a kid for me when I was sick, and it was super comforting. Overall, I love this post Abby!