Heston’s roast potatoes
- Published: 15 Nov 22
- Updated: 25 Mar 24
“In the end isn’t a roast all about the roast potatoes? While we all love a roast, I reckon that deep down we all have this secret shared belief that the best bit of any roast is the roast potato. Of course, there’s a majesty to a tender, juicy, aromatic bird with a lovely browned skin. Of course, a big-flavoured gravy makes a difference. But no matter how delicious everything else is, if the roasties aren’t quite there, then we’re not quite satisfied. That’s probably part of the reason I got a little bit obsessed about getting roast potatoes with exactly the texture I wanted: crispy and crunchy on the outside; soft and fluffy on the inside. So, if that’s how you like your potatoes, you’re in for a treat.”
Recipe taken from Is This A Cookbook?: Adventures in the Kitchen by Heston Blumenthal (Bloomsbury £27).
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Serves 4-6 -
Hands-on time 20 min, oven time 1 hour, simmering time 25 min
Nutrition
- Calories
- 394kcals
- Fat
- 11.4g (0.8g saturated)
- Protein
- 6.7g
- Carbohydrates
- 62.8g (2.9g sugars)
- Fibre
- 6.9g
- Salt
- trace
delicious. tips
Floury potatoes have the edge over waxy ones for roasties, as the post-simmer fluffy texture catches fat and creates crunchiness. Ideally, you’re looking for a variety that won’t fall to pieces too easily. Maris piper is a good all-rounder for this.
You could cut the potatoes into thirds or quarters, depending on their size. Those pointy corners are good, anyway, as they can catch fat and create crispness.
After simmering you’ll notice that the potatoes have not only softened but also look a little translucent. Some may show cracks or may have broken up a little. This is a key part of the process: those cracks are where fat can collect, which is what creates that crunchy exterior.
Overcrowding the roasting tray can hinder browning and crisping, so aim for a bit of space between each spud.
After their second spell in the oven, take a good look at your potatoes. Are they firm with a harder skin and golden all over? If not, you’ll need to return them to the oven until they are, before the next stage.