Parboiling and freezing roast potatoes before cooking makes them extra crispy, according to food experts. This simple preparation step can help achieve the perfect golden roastie, with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
The Secret to Perfect Roasties
The ideal roast potato should be golden and crispy on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. However, achieving that winning combination isn't always easy, especially when preparing a hearty roast with many other items. Leaving potatoes in the oven longer may seem like the obvious solution, but it often results in burnt potatoes with dry, tough insides.
Prepare in Advance
The secret is simply to parboil and then freeze your potatoes in advance. Not only does this help take pressure off cooking on the day, but it also enhances the taste, making roasties much crispier when cooked. Parboiling helps dry out the surface of the potatoes, allowing them to crisp up better during cooking while remaining fluffy inside.
Sainsbury's explained the benefits: "Freeze up to a month ahead. Parboiling potatoes before freezing them is not only a great way to get ahead, it also makes the potatoes extra crunchy when cooked. Roast from frozen while your meat is resting."
How to Prepare
Once potatoes have been parboiled, drain them in a colander and shake to roughen the edges, then return to the pan. Cover the pan with a clean tea towel and let the potatoes steam dry and cool for about five minutes. Then remove the tea towel and spread the potatoes on a baking tray – not touching – and loosely cover with clingfilm. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a large freezer bag for storage.
Roasting from Frozen
When ready to roast, there's no need to defrost first. Heat olive oil in a roasting tin in the oven at around 200C fan for about five minutes, then carefully add the potatoes, coating them well with hot oil. Cook for around 40 to 50 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Tesco cooking experts added: "Freezing cooked potatoes has no negative impact on the taste or texture of your cooking, and in some cases, will add to the delicious crispiness that makes potatoes so irresistible."
