Made grainy as potatoes (5) - Crossword Clue
Answer: RICED
Understanding "Made Grainy as Potatoes" - The Answer is RICED
- Made grainy as potatoes refers to the culinary technique of RICED (5 letters), where potatoes are pressed through a ricer to create a fine, grainy texture.
- This crossword clue cleverly describes both the texture and the specific kitchen tool used to achieve smooth, fluffy mashed potatoes without lumps.
Related Crossword Clues and Variations
- You might encounter similar clues such as "Processed through a ricer," "Made fluffy, as potatoes," "Put through a kitchen press," or "Prepared potatoes, in a way."
- Other culinary crossword answers in this family include MASHED, BOILED, DICED, or MINCED.
- Understanding that cooking methods often appear in crossword puzzles helps you recognize patterns - verbs ending in -ED are particularly common for describing food preparation techniques.
Tips for Solving Food Preparation Crossword Clues
- Look for cooking verbs: Many food-related clues describe actions (RICED, DICED, MINCED, SEARED) rather than ingredients
- Count the letters first: With 5 letters indicated, eliminate longer cooking methods like "processed" or "mashed up"
- Consider texture words: "Grainy" is your biggest hint - think about which cooking methods create granular textures
- Think about kitchen tools: If a clue mentions texture, often a specific tool creates that result (ricer creates rice-like grains)
- Cross-reference intersecting words: The letters R, I, C, E, D are all common crossword letters that should confirm your answer
- Remember past tense matters: The clue says "made grainy" (past tense), so you need the -ED form of the verb
Made grainy as potatoes (5) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Is "riced" only used for potatoes?
A: No, while most commonly associated with potatoes, you can rice cauliflower for low-carb alternatives, sweet potatoes for baby food, or even apples for certain baking recipes.
Q: What's the difference between riced and mashed potatoes?
A: Riced potatoes are pressed through small holes creating a light, fluffy texture, while mashed potatoes are crushed with a masher or beaten, often resulting in a denser, sometimes gummy consistency if overworked.
Q: Could the answer be GRATED instead of RICED?
A: No - grated potatoes are raw and shredded (like for hash browns), while riced potatoes are cooked and pushed through a ricer. The clue specifies "made grainy," which describes the ricing process.
Q: Why is ricing better than mashing?
A: Ricing prevents overworking the potato starches, which can make potatoes gluey. The ricer's gentle pressing action creates the smoothest possible texture without activating excess starch.
Q: Is a potato ricer the same as a food mill?
A: They're similar but different - a ricer has smaller holes and creates finer texture, while a food mill has interchangeable discs and can process larger quantities and tougher foods.
