We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
OH THE HUMBLE potato – can it do no wrong?
Probably not. Whatever guise it comes in, it has to be said that it probably reaches its highest lifeform as a roast potato. Who can resist? No one, that’s who.
As a tribute to our national foodstuff we’ve rounded up a few tips and tricks for perfecting the roastie from you, our wonderful readers, as well as a couple of recipes for alternatives on a classic.
We defy you not to try them all.
There were a lot of opinions on the best way to make a roast potato. Opinions were flying and temperatures were raised – and not just in the oven. Yes, we went there.
We rounded up a couple of readers’ tips on some fab ways to roast potatoes.
On our Facebook page, Miriam Seal told us:
Boil until just starting to go around the edges. Then toss in colander to rough up the edges. Into the oven around the roast. Baste with meat juices and leave alone. Crispy on the top. Fluffy in the middle and all caramelised on the bottom.
Eugene in last week’s open thread on the subject of the Sunday roast says:
And for something a little more unusual, Charlene says:
Roast spuds with some soy sauce unreal crispy and a nice bit of flavour.
Kevin Griffin in last week’s open thread advised:
After that, it’s wildly debated which oil to use, although the general advice would be to go for one with a high smoking point such as coconut (which adds a little extra flavour) or rapeseed.
Here’s a quick video to help…
Now, it’s ok, we know you can’t beat a classic. And we know you’d never get tired of a good old-fashioned roast potato. But just in case you fancied shaking things up a little, whether that’s by making the recipe healthier or introducing new flavours – here’s a number of recipes to give you some inspiration.
Nowadays, there’s always a healthy alternative – and rightly so. This version uses more herbs and less oil, so you can’t even tell the difference in our humble opinion.
We’ve got the lowdown for you here.
If there’s anything that could possibly improve on roast potatoes, it must surely be cheese. Cheese makes everything better – you know this. So, because we’re good to you the recipe is right here.
And, as if we haven’t treated you well enough, here’s one last morsel of deliciousness.
Ah, garlic. So delicious. So good for you. So there’ll be no kissing tonight. So what?
Here’s the recipe.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
My top tip? Get someone else to cook.
Give them to mammy
….and get them back from mammy when they’re cooked
heat the oil of choice in the baking tray before putting the par-boiled potatoes into it. very hot oven, 240. great for parsnips and carrots too.
Garlic roast potatoes are the work of satan .
Par boil pealed roosters, drain, pour goose fat, olive oil and sea salt over them in the pot. Put a lid on them, shake the pot so the edges become fluffy and then put them around your roast meat when going in the oven. Turn them every 20 minutes for about 45
What next? The perfect way to boil a kettle of water.
We weren’t all born with the pre-installed ability to cook, you know!
I note that the top comment from the previous article on the perfect Sunday roast , namely involving consent and no high fiving was removed.
Is this because it’s a sponsored piece ?
Add some cumin spice. Perfect for any potato.
Ah jayzus yez have me hank Marvin!
U don’t need to parboil them( and it just means U’ve another pot to wash …
Par boil for 10 mins after water starts to boil heat oven on full.power spray tray with frylite toss par boiled potatoes and place on tray spray more frylite add sea salt pepper if desired cook on middle tray turn tray no need to turn potato you can also add paprika or chilli flakes foolproof
have your say