Next Level Roasties Recipes

PERFECT ROAST POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Peel the potatoes and cut in half; if very large, cut into quarters, or leave whole if they are small. Tip into a saucepan, cover with cold water, then bring to the boil. Set the timer and boil for exactly 2 mins. Drain the potatoes well, then toss in the colander to fluff up their surfaces, sprinkling over the flour as you go.
• Place a large, sturdy roasting tray over a fairly high heat, then tip in the fat and oil. When sizzling, lower in the potatoes carefully, then gently brown in the hot fat for about 5 mins so all the sides are covered with oil.
• Roast undisturbed for 20 mins, then remove from the oven and gently turn them over with a fish slice. Place the tray on the hob to heat the oil, then return to the oven and cook for another 20 mins. Turn again, putting the tray back on the hob to heat the oil. Give them a final 20 mins in the oven, by which time you should have perfect roast potatoes.

REALLY EASY ROASTIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in a large roasting tin in the oven. Cut any larger potatoes in half. Cover the potatoes in cold salted water, bring up to the boil and cook for 2 mins. Drain and steam-dry in a colander for 5 mins, then shake to ruffle up the outsides.
• Remove the roasting tin - be really careful as the oil will be hot. Tip in the potatoes and garlic (if using), and use a spoon to turn them so they are all coated in the oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and roast for 1 hr 45 mins, turning every 30 mins or so, until really crisp and golden.

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.