Roast potatoes are a beloved staple of Sunday lunch, and achieving that perfect crispy exterior is a culinary goal worth striving for. Luckily, there’s a simple and effective recipe that promises to transform your roast potato game.
Cookery writer Sophie Godwin, known for her contributions to BBC Good Food, shares a technique that delivers “golden brown beauties” with “extra crispy bits everyone will love.” The brilliance lies in the method, not in a complex list of ingredients. Unlike many recipes that call for white vinegar, duck or goose fat, and excessive salt, Sophie’s approach focuses on achieving the desired texture through clever preparation.
The key lies in boiling the potatoes in a specific way and then smashing them, creating more surface area for maximum crispiness. This technique, favored by chefs like Jack Stein, ensures a delightfully crunchy exterior.
Here’s how to make the most of this recipe:
Ingredients:
* Potatoes (the type of potato you use will impact the final result, so experiment with different varieties to find your favorite)
* Salt
* Olive Oil (or your preferred cooking oil)
* Optional: Rosemary, pepper, or other herbs and spices to your liking
Instructions:
1.
Preheat your oven:
Set your oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.2.
Prepare the potatoes:
Peel the potatoes and place them in a large pan filled with cold, salted water. Bring the water to a boil while the potatoes are in the pan to ensure a crispy crust.3.
Cook the potatoes:
Once boiling, cook the potatoes for 15 minutes, or until a knife can be inserted into the center with minimal resistance. Drain the potatoes thoroughly and allow them to steam dry.4.
Smash and season:
Arrange the steam-dried potatoes in a roasting tin, leaving some space between each potato. Using a fish slice, gently smash each potato to create more surface area. This will result in more crispy bits, so don’t worry if some break completely. Season the potatoes generously with salt and pepper, and add any desired herbs and spices. Drizzle with olive oil.5.
Roast to perfection:
Roast the potatoes in the preheated oven for one hour, turning them once halfway through. Ensure they are golden brown and crispy before removing them from the oven and serving.This recipe is a true winner, as evidenced by the positive feedback from home cooks who have tried it. Many have praised its effectiveness in producing the perfect crispy roast potatoes. So, try it for yourself and enjoy the delicious results.
