Once you try the delightful combination of Jaga Butter's soft and fluffy potatoes with butter, you'll be captivated by their flavor. Although it is a Japanese dish, there's no need for any uniquely Japanese ingredients to make it.
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What is Jaga Butter?
Jaga Butter is a dish of steamed potatoes topped with butter. Jaga is short for "Jagaimo," which means potatoes in Japanese. Originally, it was a local dish from Hokkaido, the northernmost region of Japan, but now it is enjoyed throughout Japan because of its delicious taste and easy preparation. The soft and fluffy texture of the potatoes complements the butter well.
In Japan, it gained attention when it was served to former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019.
Cooking methods
There are various cooking methods for potatoes used in jaga butter, including microwave cooking, oven baking, boiling, and steaming.
The most commonly used cooking method in Japan is microwaving. By using a microwave, you can make the dish in a short amount of time.
If you want to make it even more delicious, steaming is recommended. Cooking with a steamer results in potatoes that have a fluffier texture compared to other cooking methods, and it brings out the maximum sweetness of the potatoes.
What type of potatoes are suitable?
When making jaga butter, it is recommended to use a type of potato that is known for its soft and fluffy texture when cooked. For example, in Japan, Danshaku potatoes (男爵イモ) are suitable, while in the United States, Russet Burbank potatoes are a good choice.
Ingredients
- 2 (11oz./310g) potatoes
- 0.7 oz. (20g) salted butter
Step-by-step instructions
🕒 Total 7 mins or 43 mins
Here is a recipe that uses a microwave and a steamer. Microwave cooking is quick and easy, while steaming makes it fluffier.
Step 1
Wash the potatoes and remove their sprouts.
Step 2 (for microwave cooking)
Wrap each potato individually in a damp paper towel, then in plastic wrap, and place them on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave them at 1000W for 2-3 minutes for one potato, or 3-4 minutes for two potatoes.
Step 2 (for steamer cooking)
Steam the potatoes in a steamer for 40-45 minutes, starting with room temperature water.
Step 3
Stick a bamboo skewer into the potatoes, and if they are hard inside, heat them for a little longer. Once the skewer goes in easily, they are ready to be served. When cooking in the microwave, remove the paper towels and plastic wrap.
Step 4
Remove the potatoes from the microwave or steamer, and cut them into quarters. Serve them in bowls and top each one with butter. If you feel they are not salty enough, you can add a pinch of salt.
To Store
You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Tips on how to make
- When microwaving potatoes, wrap each potato individually in a damp paper towel and then in plastic wrap. This allows you to steam the potatoes in the microwave.
- When steaming potatoes in a steamer, start with room temperature water. If boiling water is used from the beginning, the outer parts of the potatoes may easily fall apart before the center is cooked.
Recipe Card
Jaga Butter (Soft and Fluffy Potatoes with Butter)
Ingredients
- 2 (11oz./310g) potatoes
- 0.7 oz. (20g) salted butter
Instructions
- Wash the potatoes and remove their sprouts.
- (For microwave cooking) Wrap each potato individually in a damp paper towel, then in plastic wrap, and place them on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave them at 1000W for 2-3 minutes for one potato, or 3-4 minutes for two potatoes.
- (For steamer cooking) Steam the potatoes in a steamer for 40-45 minutes, starting with room temperature water.
- Stick a bamboo skewer into the potatoes, and if they are hard inside, heat them for a little longer. Once the skewer goes in easily, they are ready to be served. When cooking in the microwave, remove the paper towels and plastic wrap.
- Remove the potatoes from the microwave or steamer, and cut them into quarters. Serve them in bowls and top each one with butter. If you feel they are not salty enough, you can add a pinch of salt.
Notes
- Here is a recipe that uses a microwave and a steamer. Microwave cooking is quick and easy, while steaming makes it fluffier.
- When using a steamer, the total cooking time is 43 minutes.
- You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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