Perfect Hash Browns Sara Moulton Recipes

PERFECT HASH BROWNS

Steps:

• Peel potatoes. Coarsely shred potatoes using a handheld shredder or a food processor with a coarse shredding blade.
• Place shredded potatoes in a large bowl; add enough cool water to cover potatoes. Stir well. Drain in a colander set in a sink. Repeat rinsing and draining two or three times until water runs clear. Drain again, pressing out as much water as you can with a rubber spatula. Line a salad spinner with paper towels; add potatoes and spin.* Repeat, if necessary, until potatoes are dry. Transfer potatoes to a large bowl. Sprinkle potatoes with salt and pepper, tossing to combine.
• In a 10-inch nonstick skillet** heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and the butter over medium-high heat until butter foams. Add potatoes to the skillet, spreading into an even layer. Gently press with the back of a spatula to form a cake. Reduce heat to medium. Cook, without stirring, about 12 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown and crisp.
• Invert a baking sheet or plate over the top of the skillet. Carefully invert the skillet with the baking sheet or plate to transfer the potatoes to the baking sheet or plate. If needed, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Using the baking sheet or plate, slide the potatoes back into the skillet, uncooked side down. Cook, without stirring, about 8 minutes more or until the bottom is golden brown. If desired, sprinkle with paprika before serving.

PERFECT HASH BROWNS - SARA MOULTON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Scrub the potatoes well and dry with paper towels.
• Poke several holes in them with a skewer to allow steam to escape.
• Place the potatoes on a small baking sheet and bake, uncovered, until tender, about 1 hour.
• Allow the potatoes to cool to room temperature.
• Refrigerate in a plastic bag with a resealable closure overnight.
• Peel the potatoes and cut into 1/3-inch dice.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the onion.
• Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the onion to a small bowl.
• Add the vegetable oil to the skillet and heat until almost smoking.
• Add the potatoes and leave to form a crisp crust.
• Do not disturb the potatoes until the crust is formed, about 5 minutes.
• Check to see if a crust has formed; if so, give a quick stir.
• If not, continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the crust has formed.
• With a spatula, turn over large chunks of the crusted potatoes.
• Season with salt and pepper and continue cooking until golden brown.
• Stir in the onion, season again with salt and pepper, and stir until the hash is heated through, about 3 minutes.
• Serve hot.
• **Cook time does not include refrigerating the cooled potatoes overnight.

HASH BROWNS

Steps:

• In a heavy medium saute pan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Spread the potatoes in an even layer in the saute pan, pressing down on them slightly with a spatula. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the potatoes begin to brown on the bottom, 6 to 7 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to prevent sticking. Pour 1 tablespoon of the melted butter over the top of the potatoes.
• Place a large plate over the pan and invert the potatoes onto the plate. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan, slide the potatoes back in, and brown on the other side, about 5 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper and slide onto a platter. Serve immediately.

PERFECT HOMEMADE HASH BROWNS

Steps:

• Cook whole potatoes in a large saucepan of salted boiling water for 10 minutes; drain and let cool.
• When potatoes are cool enough to handle, grate them with a coarse grater.
• In a large non-stick skillet, heat oil and butter together and cook hash browns over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes on each side, or until crisp and well-browned.
• Resist the temptation to stir them around; just lift up an edge periodically to check on browning.
• Serve immediately.

CLASSIC HASH BROWNS

Steps:

• Shred potatoes into a large bowl filled with cold water. Stir until water is cloudy, drain, and cover potatoes again with fresh cold water. Stir again to dissolve excess starch. Drain potatoes well, pat dry with paper towels, and squeeze out any excess moisture.
• Heat clarified butter in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Sprinkle shredded potatoes into the hot butter and season with salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika.
• Cook potatoes until a brown crust forms on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Continue to cook and stir until potatoes are browned all over, about 5 more minutes.

PERFECT HASH BROWNS

Steps:

• Grate potatoes on the largest hole on a box grater into a medium bowl. Cover with cold water and drain; repeat once or twice, until water runs nearly clear. Taking small handfuls at a time, squeeze all the water from the potatoes and place in a dry medium bowl. Grate onion on the largest hole on a box grater and toss with potatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Taking small handfuls at a time, squeeze all water from the potato-onion mixture. Heat 2 tablespoons reserved bacon fat or vegetable oil in skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon butter and swirl together.
• Add potatoes and onions and spread into a thin, even layer. Cook, without moving, until the potatoes are nearly cooked through and browned on one side, about 5 to 8 minutes. Using a spatula, flip sections of the potatoes to crisp on the other side. Add 1 tablespoon reserved bacon fat or vegetable oil and remaining 1 tablespoon butter and cook, without moving, until potatoes are browned on the other side, about another 5 minutes. Flip once or twice more (you don't have to be so careful here; just kind of stir them around) and continue to cook until most of the bits of potato are golden brown and crisped, about another 4 minutes.
• Transfer potatoes to a plate. Serve with hot sauce (or ketchup, if you wish).

EMILY'S FAMOUS HASH BROWNS

Steps:

• Rinse shredded potatoes until water is clear, then drain and squeeze dry. Place shreds in a bowl, and mix in the onion, flour and egg until evenly distributed.
• Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is sizzling hot, place potatoes into the pan in a 1/2 inch thick layer. Cover the whole bottom of the pan, or make separate piles like pancakes. Cook until nicely browned on the bottom, then flip over and brown on the other side. It should take at least 5 minutes per side. If you are cooking them in one big piece, it can be cut into quarters for easier flipping.
• Remove from pan, and drain on paper towels. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

PERFECT HASH BROWNS

Steps:

• Melt butter in skillet, over med/low fire. Shred potatoes in processor, spread and press into the skillet, Listen for a light sizzle.
• Sprinkle the onion flakes, salt, bouillon, paprika, pepper, and basil over potatoes. Using the spatula's end, chop lightly thru. Fry on one side for approx 3 to 5 minutes before turning.