- Prepare the Potatoes:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into even-sized chunks, about 2 inches each. The uniform size helps them cook evenly.
- Parboil the Potatoes:
- Place the potatoes in a large pot of salted cold water.
- Bring the water to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Parboil the potatoes for about 10 minutes after the water starts boiling. They should be slightly tender on the outside but still firm in the center.
- Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them steam dry for a few minutes. This step is crucial as it helps to remove excess moisture.
- Fluff the Potatoes:
- Shake the colander gently to fluff up the edges of the potatoes. This rough surface will help to increase the crunchiness of the roast potatoes.
- Heat the Fat:
- While the potatoes are drying, add duck fat or olive oil to a roasting tin and place it in the oven for a few minutes until the fat is hot and sizzling.
- Carefully remove the tin from the oven and add the potatoes, tossing them in the fat to ensure they are well-coated. Spread them out in a single layer.
- Roast the Potatoes:
- Roast the potatoes in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they brown evenly.
- If desired, sprinkle with garlic powder and add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme in the last 10 minutes of roasting for added flavor.
- Serve:
- Once the potatoes are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the oven.
- Season with additional salt to taste and serve immediately.
Tips for Perfection:
- Choosing the right type of potato is key. Yukon Gold and Maris Piper potatoes have the perfect starch content for crispy roasting.
- Parboiling and fluffing the potatoes are essential steps. They create the rough edges that crisp up beautifully in the oven.
- Heating the fat in the roasting tin before adding the potatoes ensures that the initial contact is sizzling hot, which helps to start the crisping process immediately.
These roast potatoes are perfect for a Sunday roast, alongside a holiday meal, or just when you’re in the mood for something deliciously crispy. Enjoy your meal with these unbeatable crispy roast potatoes!