For many across the UK, a Sunday roast or Christmas dinner is simply incomplete without a serving of perfectly crisp and fluffy roast potatoes. Now, a social media food expert has pinpointed a single, often-overlooked step that he guarantees will elevate your spuds to perfection every single time.
The Secret to Crispy, Fluffy Roasties
Harrison Webb, a food content creator with an impressive 816,000 followers on TikTok, has shared his definitive recipe. In a recent video, he declared, "It's nearly Christmas and this is how you make the perfect roast potatoes." His method begins classically: peel the potatoes and chop them into uniformly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
The next vital stage is to rinse the chopped potatoes thoroughly under cold water until the water runs completely clear, removing excess starch. Harrison then advises adding two garlic cloves, four sprigs of rosemary, and a generous amount of salt to the potatoes before simmering them until they are soft.
The Crucial Step Most People Forget
After draining the potatoes and letting them dry, he coats them in hot goose fat in a tray and gives them an initial 30 minutes in the oven. He then takes them out to baste them again before returning them to the oven. This is where Harrison reveals the common mistake.
"After leaving the potatoes in the oven for 30 minutes, that's where 'most people' would stop, but you simply shouldn't," he explained. His crucial tip is to give the potatoes another good toss and return them to the oven for a final 20 minutes. "I promise you it'll make the difference," he urged.
For a final flavour boost, he makes a quick rosemary salt by grinding a tablespoon of salt with a tablespoon of rosemary and some lemon zest. Once the potatoes are finally out of the oven and drained, he sprinkles over the scented salt and gives them a final mix.
Overwhelming Public Reaction
The culinary tutorial has proven immensely popular, amassing a staggering 360,000 likes and hundreds of comments from eager home cooks. One fan enthusiastically wrote, "Roast potatoes are so good, especially with gravy!" while another commented, "I might have to try them for sure."
The video also sparked some practical questions, with viewers inquiring about where to source goose fat and the correct oven temperature, which was clarified by another user in the comments as 180C.
For those seeking an alternative method, another proven technique involves spreading the parboiled potatoes in a single layer with plenty of room, roasting them for 15 minutes, turning them over, and repeating the process. They are then finished with a scattering of sea salt flakes and served immediately.
