Next Level Roasties Recipes

PERFECT ROASTIES - ROAST POTATOES FOR ENGLISH SUNDAY LUNCH

Steps:

• Par-boil the potatoes first.
• Once they are peeled and cut into similar sizes (small potatoes in two, large ones in four), put the potatoes into cold, salted water and bring to the boil. As soon as they start boiling, boil for about 5 to 6 minutes, then drain all the water off (keeping some for the gravy later), let some of the steam evaporate off, then put the lid on securely and shake the potatoes in the pan until the edges are roughened and fluffed up.
• Add the flour and shake again, to coat all the potatoes in a thin coating of flour. This is what will absorb the hot oil to make a crisp surface as the potatoes roast. Leave the lid off now so they dry a little until the oil is ready.
• Heat the oil first.
• In a roasting pan, that is large enough to take the potatoes in a single layer, put enough vegetable oil, duck fat or goose fat to cover the bottom with ease. The potatoes mustn't be bathed in the oil, so keep it less than ½ cm or ¼ inch deep.
• Put the tray into the hot oven (200°C/400°F) for 10 minutes before the potatoes need to go inches Once the oil is smoking hot, put the potatoes in so they sizzle and turn them around so they are all coated in the hot fat/oil, then return the tray to the oven to roast. The potatoes can be turned two or three times during cooking.
• Timing.
• The potatoes need to stay in the hot oven until the very last minute when you are ready to serve lunch. If they hang around keeping warm they lose their crisp edge and gradually dwindle into leathery bullets. They need 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours at 200°C/400°F to reach optimum crispiness. Time the meat to be ready 10 minutes before them, so it can rest, you can make the gravy and summon the troops to table, and only then produce the potatoes still sizzling from the oven, and sprinkled with freshly milled sea salt.
• (If people are late in arriving for lunch, the potatoes can take another 10-15 minutes getting even more crispy in the oven, but after that I'd just get on and eat them without the latecomers!).
• Roasting tin.
• I get the crispiest results from my enamel roasting tins. Pyrex or glass trays result in softer, less crispy potatoes. Metal trays are also excellent for roasting potatoes.
• Temperature.
• Keep the hottest part of the oven for the potatoes. Juggling the roast meat, roast potatoes and everything in a small oven is tricky but the potatoes will only get crisp if they can roast in blazing heat for a while. If all else fails, when the meat comes out, turn the oven up to the highest heat and put the potatoes on the top shelf for a blasting. Last on the list of emergency remedies, put them under a hot grill (broiler) for the last five minutes while you are getting the table ready.

NEXT-LEVEL ROASTIES

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and leave whole, or halve or quarter them if large - you want pieces that are roughly the size of a clementine. Tip them into a large pan of cold, salted water, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 7-8 mins until just cooked through - test with the tip of a knife. Drain the potatoes and leave to cool. Can be boiled up to two days ahead and kept chilled.
• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Pour 5 tbsp oil into a deep roasting tin to cover the base. Put the tin in the oven for 5 mins to heat up, then carefully add the potatoes and use a spatula to turn and coat in the hot oil. Put back in the oven and roast for 40 mins undisturbed.
• Remove the tin from the oven and turn the potatoes in the oil again, drizzling with more oil if the pan is dry. Return to the oven for 20 mins. Once the turkey is out and resting, remove the potatoes from the oven and turn the heat up to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Use a spatula or potato masher to slightly crush and flatten each potato, drizzle with a bit more oil, if needed, and roast for a final 20-30 mins until deep golden and crunchy on the outside and fluffy inside. Pile into a serving dish, sprinkle with a little sea salt and thyme, if you like, and serve.

RIGHT-EVERY-TIME ROASTIES

Steps:

• Cut the potatoes into quarters, or eighths if really large - you want to end up with even-size 5cm pieces. Put the potatoes in a large pan of salted water and boil for 5 mins, just until the outside of the potato starts to soften. To check, try scraping a potato with a fork - it should be easy to make a mark but you shouldn't be able to slide it into the flesh. Drain really well.
• Return to the pan and scatter over the flour and polenta (if using) and a little salt. Place a lid on top of the pan and give it a couple of good shakes, coating the potatoes in the flour and polenta and lightly crushing the sides.
• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Place the goose fat and oil in a roasting tin large enough to hold all the potatoes in one layer and heat in the oven for 5 mins. Quickly tip the potatoes in and return to the oven. Cook for 30 mins, turning once, then increase the heat to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Cook for 20 mins more or until crisp all over. Sprinkle with a little more salt, then serve.