Real Food, Real Performance, Run-Up KL Tower with Potatoes USA

Real food for real performance! Get stronger and healthier with potato power! 
Potatoes are not only delicious, but they are also packed with nutrition. Loaded with potassium, fibre, folate, antioxidants and vitamin C, potatoes are a great source of complex carbohydrates for healthy, balanced diet. A medium sized skin-on potato provides 45% of your daily value of Vitamin C and contain only 110 calories. In addition, potato is more energy-packed than any other popular vegetables and contain more potassium than a medium-size banana, which can improve physical performance plus aid in muscle, cardiovascular and nervous system function during long endurance exercise. Studies have shown that the difference between the athlete's best performances come down to his or her nutrition intake. 

Having said that, Potatoes USA has officially launched its "Real Food, Real Performance 2019" campaign at KL Tower. The event showcases sharing session on performance nutrition for a power-packed lifestyle and also collaborative initiatives with several athletes for 2019/2020. Potatoes USA will also be participating in various performance-related athletic events including the upcoming Yayasan TM Tower Run on November 10 which has thousand of runners from local and abroad participating.

A recent research conducted found that the potatoes are natural, functional, energy-packed food with healthy goodness for sportsmen and everyday consumers to perform at their best. It is easily disgestible and more energy dense compared to other vegetable, not to mention that potatoes are also a good choice to fuel the demands of competition. Potatoes USA is currently working closely with a community of recognized athletes in the U.S as well as various countries in Asia like Japan, South Korea, China and now Malaysia. 

Another highlight of the event was the run-up KL tower. Three champion runners namely Soh Wai Ching, World's no. 2 & Asia's no. 1 towerrunner champion, Jeffrey Ross, Malaysia's no. 1 veteran runner and Tahira Najmunisaa, ultra-marathon champion took up the challenge to bring to life the community message of active sports in relations to natural performance nutrition. The runners run up the strenuous and endless 2,058 steps of the tower in a bid to beat their own personal run up time. They took U.S Potato Flex Energy Bars to fuel them throughout the run up and drank U.S Potato Smoothies post-run to replenish their depleted glycogen levels. 

Well-known Sport Dietitian/Nutritionist and an avid runner herself, Adele Wong and Chef Janice Lee also showcased several delicious recipes suitable to fuel the performances of competitive sportsmen. Do try out these healthy and delish U.S Potato recipes!

U.S Potato Power Frittata with Spinach (pre-workout)

Serves : 8

Ingredients 

• 6 whole eggs
• 50gm Parmesan cheese
• 1 onion (cubes)
• 65 gm baby spinach
• 1/2 red capsicum (cubes)
• 350gm fresh U.S. Russet potatoes
• 45gm milk
• 30gm butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Seasonings

• 5gm salt
• 3gm black pepper

Method of preparation 

1. Peel and cut the fresh U.S Russet potatoes into small cubes. Boil in boiling water for 10-15 mins depending on size. 
2. In a non-stick saucepan, saute spinach, onion, red capsicum and boiled potatoes in butter, and season with a pinch of salt and black pepper over medium heat. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine egg, parmesan cheese, milk and seasonings. Stir to mix. 
4. Add in the sauteed vegetables to the large bowl. Stir to mix. 
5. Pour the mixture into a greased 10-inch pan over medium heat. Stir lightly with a fork until almost set. Cover for 3-4 mins on medium heat to allow mixture to cook through. 
6. Remove from heat and serve. 

Sunrise U.S Potato Crepe (pre-workout)

Serves : 3

Ingredients 

• 200gm fresh U.S Russet potato
• 30gm whipping cream
• 15 gm butter
• 56 gm all-purpose flour
• 2 sticks thyme
• Filling - sour cream & chives

Seasonings 

• 4gm salt
• 3gm black pepper
• 1 pinch sugar

Method of preparation 

1. Peel and cut the fresh U.S Russet potatoes into small cubes. Boil in boiling water for 10-15 mins depending on size. 
2. Heat cream, butter, thyme and seasonings in a small saucepan until the butter has melted.
3. Mash the potatoes in a food processor or with a fork.
4. Mix the mashed potatoes gently with the melted butter liquid to form a dough. 
5. Place the dough in the refrigerator to cool for about 30 mins. 
6. Once cooled, add the flour to the dough and work in gently. Allow to rest for about 10 minutes. 
7. Divide the dough into 3 portions. Sprinkle some flour on a sheet of parchment paper and using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into thin circles. 
8. Heat the skillet and place the rolled dough directly on it. Cook both sides until slightly brown. 
9. Serve with sour cream and chopped chives. 

U.S Potato Flex Energy Bar (during workout/snack)

Serves : 8

Ingredients 

• 100gm fresh U.S Russet potatoes
• 7 pcs dates (chopped)
• 80gm banana
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seed (chopped)
• 1/4 cup almond (chopped)
• 2 pinch salt

Toppings 

• 1tsp pumpkin seed
• 1tsp toasted sesame seed
• 1tsp toasted coconut flakes
• 20gm gula Melaka (melted)

Method of preparation

1. Peel and cut the fresh U.S Russet potatoes into small cubes. Boil in boiling water for 10-15 mins depending on size. 
2. In a food processor, combine cooked potatoes with dates, banana, pumpkin seed, almond and salt.
3. Line a 6 X 6 inch baking pan with parchment paper and spread mixture onto pan with spatula. Press down firmly on the surface.
4. Mix the toppings in a bowl and sprinkle on top.
5. Drizzle the melted gula Melaka.
6. Cover and freeze for at least 2 hours. Remove bar from pan and cut into 8 even slices.

Fusion U.S Potato Gratin (post-workout)

Serves : 4

Ingredients 

• 500gm fresh U.S Russet potato
• 60gm whipping cream
• 45 gm parmesan cheese (shredded)
• 45 gm mozzarela cheese (shredded)
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 3gm curry leaves

Seasonings

• 5gm salt
• 3gm black pepper
• 20gm curry powder 

Method of preparations

1. Preheat oven to 190 degrees C.
2. Wash and peel the fresh U.S Russet potatoes. Slice the potatoes thinly with a slicer and place them in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the whipping cream, milk, cheese and seasonings. Mix with a whisk.
4. Pour the liquid onto the thinly sliced potatoes and toss well.
5. Pour the potato mixture into 4 ramekins and put a dollop of butter on top. Cover the ramekins with aluminium foil.
6. Place the ramekins on a sheet pan and bake for 20 mins.
7. After 20 mins, remove the foil from the ramekins and bake for another 10-15 mins until potatoes are cooked with a golden brown top.

U.S Potato Enduro Smoothie (post-workout)

Serves : 4

Ingredients

• 160gm fresh U.S blue purple potato
• 2 green apples
• 240ml milk
• 30gm gula Melaka (melted)
• 20gm walnut
• 20 nos blueberries
• 80gm fresh yoghurt
• 10gm pumpkin seed (toppings)

Method of preparation 

1. Cut the U.S fresh blue purple potatoes into small cubes and boil in boiling water for 10-15 mins depending on size.
2. In a blender, combine the cooked potatoes, milk, green apple, gula Melaka, yoghurt and walnut. Blend until smooth. 
3. Pour into 4 drinking glasses. Sprinkle some chopped pumpkin seeds before serving.

U.S potatoes are recognised for its high quality due to the ideal growing temperatures, rich soil, state-of-the-art processing and generations of expertise. Moreover, the stringent U.S industry standards that meet all the Food and Drug Administration and USDA specifications ensure U.S Potatoes are safe and are of top-quality. 

In addition, U.S. Potatoes are packed with key nutrients at an affordable price. A serving of potatoes (5.3 ounces) will only set you back around RM1.50. In fact, potatoes have the highest score per ringgit on providing potassium, fibre, protein, vitamin C and E, calcium, iron and magnesium, beating out other vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots. If you're looking to power up your performance, look no further than the potato. Whether it's for breakfast, lunch or dinner, potatoes can be your secret weapon for a healthy and tasty meal. 

One potato, two potato, three potato, more please! :p

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