We all love roast potatoes, but achieving that perfect crispy exterior and fluffy interior can be a culinary challenge. While countless recipes claim to offer the secret to the best roast potatoes, there’s a simple hack that promises not only crispier potatoes but also a boost to your gut health.
According to a viral TikTok recipe, freezing your potatoes after boiling but before roasting can significantly increase their resistant starch content. Resistant starch acts like fiber in your body, feeding the beneficial bacteria in your gut and promoting overall cell health.
Laura Stevens, the creator of this hack, explained: “This might be the easiest way to improve your gut health. When you cook, freeze, and reheat potatoes, it increases their resistant starch, which feeds the good bacteria in your gut.” She recommends boiling a batch of potatoes at the beginning of the week, adding spices, and then freezing them. When you’re ready for a roast dinner, simply pop them in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes for crispy, delicious roasties.
You don’t necessarily need to freeze the potatoes after boiling, as the key is for them to cool down. However, freezing allows you to prepare your roasties ahead of time, making them ready whenever you need them.
This process, known as starch retrogradation, can be applied to other starchy foods like rice and pasta, increasing their resistant starch content.
Commenters on Laura’s video were impressed by the hack, many of them unaware that cooling potatoes after cooking could benefit their gut health. One person remarked: “This is such a great hack I never would have thought of! I’ll definitely be giving this a go.” Another added: “This is such a good idea regardless of gut health.”
So, next time you’re preparing roast potatoes, give this simple hack a try. You might just discover a new way to make your favorite dish even better while supporting your gut health.
