Golden, crunchy on the outside, fluffy in the middle. Because Christmas dinner deserves properly good roast potatoes.
There are plenty of things people disagree about at Christmas. But surely we can all agree that roast potatoes are one of the best things on the table?
For me, the perfect roast potato has a crisp, golden shell, a soft, fluffy centre and enough flavour to make you reach for another before you've even finished your dinner.
And the good news? You don't need a complicated recipe or a cupboard full of ingredients. Just the right potatoes, a few simple techniques and a little help from the pantry.
Which potatoes are best for roasting?
Start with a floury potato. Maris Piper is a brilliant choice because it gives you that lovely fluffy interior and rough edges that crisp up beautifully in the oven.
King Edward potatoes are another excellent option.
Cut them into fairly even, generous pieces so they cook at the same rate. Nobody wants a tray of tiny burnt potatoes alongside enormous undercooked ones.
The secret to really crispy roast potatoes
There are three things that make all the difference.
1. Parboil your potatoes.
Cook them in salted boiling water until the outsides are beginning to soften. Around 8–12 minutes is a useful guide, depending on their size.
2. Rough up the edges.
Drain thoroughly, leave them to steam-dry for a few minutes, then give the colander a good shake. Those fluffy, slightly broken edges are exactly what will become beautifully crisp in the oven.
3. Use hot fat and give them space.
Whether you prefer vegetable oil, goose fat or duck fat, get your roasting tray and fat hot before adding the potatoes. Spread them out in a single layer so they roast rather than steam.
A little help from Goat Rodeo
Now, here's where a clever pantry shortcut comes in.
Goat Rodeo's wonderfully named Better Than Sex Roast Potato Seasoning is made with semolina, sea salt, garlic, onion, parsley, oregano, chives and black pepper.
The semolina helps give the potatoes an extra crunchy coating, while the herbs and seasoning bring plenty of savoury flavour.
It's exactly the sort of product I love stocking at Peak & The Pantry. Something simple that makes everyday cooking easier without taking away the pleasure of cooking.
Shop Goat Rodeo Better Than Sex Roast Potato Seasoning – £6.50
How to make crispy Christmas roast potatoes
Serves: 4–6
Preparation: Approximately 15 minutes
Cooking: Approximately 55 minutes, plus parboiling
Ingredients
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1.5kg Maris Piper potatoes
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4–5 tablespoons vegetable oil, goose fat or duck fat
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Goat Rodeo Better Than Sex Roast Potato Seasoning, to coat generously
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Salt for the boiling water
Method
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Preheat your oven to 200°C fan. Put a large roasting tray with your chosen fat into the oven to heat.
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Peel the potatoes and cut into evenly sized pieces.
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Place in salted boiling water and parboil for approximately 8–12 minutes, until the edges begin to soften.
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Drain thoroughly and leave to steam-dry for a few minutes.
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Shake the potatoes gently in the colander to create those lovely fluffy edges.
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Sprinkle generously with Goat Rodeo roast potato seasoning and shake again to coat.
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Carefully transfer the potatoes into the hot roasting tray, turning them in the fat.
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Roast for approximately 25 minutes, turning halfway through.
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Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C fan and continue roasting for approximately 25–30 minutes, until golden, crisp and cooked through.
Serve immediately, preferably with plenty of gravy.
Can you prepare roast potatoes ahead for Christmas?
Absolutely. And when you're juggling the turkey, vegetables, stuffing and everything else, a little preparation makes Christmas Day much easier.
Peel, cut and parboil your potatoes on Christmas Eve. Drain, rough up the edges and allow them to cool quickly before covering and refrigerating.
On Christmas Day, season them and roast in hot fat until crisp, golden and piping hot throughout. Allow a little extra cooking time if they're going into the oven cold.
It's one less job when everyone is asking when dinner will be ready.
Three mistakes to avoid
Crowding the roasting tray: Potatoes need space for the hot air to circulate. Use two trays if necessary.
Not drying the potatoes: Excess moisture makes it harder to achieve a crisp coating.
Not using enough heat: A properly preheated oven and hot roasting fat help create that lovely golden crust.
Roast potatoes aren't just for Christmas
A good roast potato deserves a place on the table all winter.
Serve them alongside Sunday lunch, with a bowl of garlic mayonnaise for dipping, or turn leftovers into crispy potatoes for brunch.
And if you find a seasoning that does half the flavour work for you, even better.
Because that's what a good pantry is all about: making good food easier.
Discover Goat Rodeo Better Than Sex Roast Potato Seasoning at Peak & The Pantry
