How To Boil Potatoes

Scrub potatoes clean. If you're making potato salad or mashed potatoes, cut potatoes into evenly-sized large chunks.  Add potatoes to a large pot then pour over enough water to cover potatoes by 1". Season with a teaspoon of salt per pound of potatoes. Bring water to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and cook at rapid simmer until potatoes are easily pierced with a paring knife, about 10 minutes for chopped potatoes and 20 minutes for whole potatoes.  Drain potatoes in a colander.