Perfect roast potatoes should have a crunchy, flavorful crust on the outside, but a soft, delicious heart. Before cooking them, the potatoes must be washed thoroughly to remove the earth residues from the peel, which otherwise could negatively affect the result. Then, they must be cut into more or less large pieces bearing in mind that the size affects the cooking time. If you want the potatoes to get super crunchy, pre-cook them in boiling water until they are soft on the outside, but still firm on the inside. At that point, you can season them and roast them in the oven until they are golden, crunchy and absolutely irresistible.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Potatoes
Step 1. Choose a potato variety
All types of potatoes can be cooked roasted, but the texture and flavor can change based on the variety selected. For instance:
- Yellow-fleshed potatoes are low in starch and do not become crunchy like those of other varieties;
- Mealy potatoes and sweet potatoes, rich in starch, become moderately crunchy when roasted;
- All-purpose potatoes become crunchy on the outside and remain creamy on the inside.
Step 2. Wash the potatoes
Place them under cold running water and scrub them with a soft-bristled vegetable brush to remove soil residue and impurities from the skin.
- Don't use soap when washing vegetables.
- If you don't have a vegetable brush, scrub the potatoes vigorously with your hands under running water.
Step 3. Decide if you want to peel the potatoes
If you have chosen a variety of potatoes with a thick, fibrous skin, you may want to consider peeling them to improve the texture of the final product. However, many people like the skin of roasted potatoes and prefer not to remove it.
- If you decide to peel the potatoes, you can roast the skins separately to turn them into a crunchy and delicious savory snack.
- Use the peeler to remove the peel quickly.
Step 4. Cut the potatoes into small pieces
The bigger they are, the longer you will have to let them cook. If you are short on time, it is best to cut the potatoes into small pieces. For a more rustic side dish, it is preferable to cut them into large pieces.
- If you are using new potatoes, you can leave them whole as they are quite small.
- If the potatoes are large and have thick skin, you can cut them in half, quarter or cubes.
- If you like potatoes very crunchy and flavorful, cut them into small cubes.
Part 2 of 3: Blanch the Potatoes Before Roasting them in the Oven
Step 1. Decide if you want to pre-cook the potatoes in boiling water
Many people find this a nuisance and prefer to put them directly in the oven. However, blanching them is easy and doesn't take much time. In addition, it is useful for obtaining a crisper outer crust and a soft heart.
- When blanched, the potatoes should only soften on the outside, without cooking at all.
- If you cut the potatoes into small cubes, do not boil them, otherwise they may fall apart.
Step 2. Fill a saucepan with salted water and cook the potatoes
Use a large, deep pot, put the potatoes in it and cover them with cold water so that they are completely submerged. Add a generous pinch of salt and mix to dissolve it.
If you don't add salt to the water, the potatoes may be not very tasty
Step 3. Blanch the potatoes
Place the pot on the stove and heat the water over medium-high heat to bring it to a boil. Let the potatoes cook until they are soft on the outside. The outer part must flake easily, while the central part must resist if you try to pierce the potatoes with a fork.
- If you have cut the potatoes into large pieces, you will need to let them cook for 10 minutes.
- If you have cut them into small pieces, 5 minutes should be enough.
Step 4. Drain the potatoes
Put a metal colander or colander in the sink. Pour in the water and potatoes to drain. You will have to wait for them to cool before you can season them and roast them in the oven.
When the potatoes have cooled, consider scratching them with a fork to get an even crispier crust
Part 3 of 3: Roasting Potatoes in the Oven
Step 1. Turn on the oven to 190 ° C and let it heat up
After 10 minutes, it should have reached the desired temperature; in the meantime, you can prepare the potatoes.
Most modern ovens emit an audible notification to warn you that the desired temperature has been reached. Depending on the model, this may take more or less than 10 minutes
Step 2. Season the potatoes
Place them in a large bowl, then season them with the desired oil and flavorings. Stir them with a large spoon to distribute the seasonings evenly. You can choose between several options, for example:
- Season them with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of black pepper and half a teaspoon of chopped dry rosemary.
- If you prefer, you can season them with 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, a teaspoon and a half of salt, a teaspoon of black pepper, 2 tablespoons of minced garlic and 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley.
- For an extremely greedy variant, you can use a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, half a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of garlic powder, half a teaspoon of paprika and half a teaspoon of black pepper.
Step 3. Spread the potatoes on the baking sheet
Transfer them to the pan and make sure they form a single uniform layer for even cooking. If they overlap, they won't become crunchy. You can line the pan with parchment paper or foil so you won't have difficulty cleaning it after cooking.
- Use a large, metal baking pan to make a great crust.
- If you don't have a metal pan, you can use a cast iron saucepan or skillet or glass ovenproof dish.
Step 4. Bake the potatoes
The cooking time can range from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the cut. To be safe, it is best to check the potatoes every 10 minutes until they are cooked to perfection. To understand if they are ready, make sure that:
- A golden crust has formed on the outside;
- The fork easily penetrates to the center;
- They give off the classic scent of roasted potatoes.
Step 5. Serve the potatoes
Remove the pan from the oven and let the potatoes cool for a few minutes before placing them on plates and serving. Roast potatoes taste even better if you eat them fresh. You can serve them as a side dish to different main courses as they go well with most flavors. For example they are excellent:
- To accompany the meatloaf;
- Pair with other vegetable side dishes for a nutritious and complete vegetarian meal;
- Cold additions to a salad should they leftover.
