{"id":14003,"date":"2013-10-16T15:49:24","date_gmt":"2013-10-16T22:49:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=14003"},"modified":"2017-03-06T16:09:16","modified_gmt":"2017-03-07T00:09:16","slug":"my-own-private-idaho-and-a-bloomin-baked-potato","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/my-own-private-idaho-and-a-bloomin-baked-potato\/","title":{"rendered":"My Own Private Idaho and a Bloomin’ Baked Potato"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a><\/p>\n Ahhh, Idaho. I had never laid eyes on your gorgeous mountains and broad plains, but I’ve eaten plenty of your famous potatoes which is how I ended up gazing upon this breathtaking vista. Wine in hand and a spread of the most exquisite appetizers imaginable behind me far exceeded my expectations of any trip to your fair state.<\/p>\n Having worked with the Idaho Potato Commission<\/a> developing recipes featuring Idaho potatoes in five vegetarian main dishes, I accepted their invitation \u00a0to learn firsthand, straight from the farmers, about the growing, harvesting, and processing of this beloved staple of America’s diet.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n I arrived in Idaho Falls mid afternoon and ran into Amy Sherman of Cooking with Amy <\/a>at the baggage claim area. The rest of the group were waiting for us at the hotel so we could take off to the Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot. We ditched or bags at the front desk and piled into the van for the first of a whirlwind of events revolving around the humble spud.<\/p>\n <\/a>Photo op! you know it<\/p>\n Full of interesting history about how the potato species came to America. Learn about early artifacts used in rituals to the Potato God and who invented the ubiquitous Idaho russet potato: Luther Burbank. Hear the story about how using Marilyn Monroe’s image created a stir in the potato industry in the 50s. And, of course, see the rudimentary equipment used to sow and harvest potatoes before the machine age and a colorful collection of potato mashers from days gone by.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n From the museum we drove by miles and miles of fields to the farm of James Hoff, a 4th generation Idaho potato farmer. We met the whole family, including their four-legged family members, and began our potato education in a storage building which James’ grandfather built.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n