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AIBU?

to ask for help from MN in overcoming my secret shame?

191 replies

HedgehogsDontBite · 01/12/2014 09:43

I can't cook roast potatoes. Blush There, I've finally admitted it.

I've reached the grand old age of 45 and am utterly incapable when it comes to these little buggers. They either come out rock hard and inedible or they resemble one of the dog's chew toys. I've tried loads of different 'recipes' but it's always the same. Failure. I'd buy frozen ones if they sold them where I live, but they don't.

Now I'm hosting Christmas dinner and I can hide no longer. WIBU to do chips instead and tell our non-British guests that this is traditional?

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Chippednailvarnish · 01/12/2014 09:45

Aunt Bessie is your friend.

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Thehedgehogsong · 01/12/2014 09:45

Gosh where do you live? No Aunt Bessie's available anywhere?!

I'd go for mash over chips. Or practise every day on your roasties until xmas day. Or get one of your guests to make them!

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HedgehogsDontBite · 01/12/2014 09:46

Unfortunately Aunt Bessie hasn't emmigrated yet :(

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Chippednailvarnish · 01/12/2014 09:46

Sorry hit post too soon.

Make a special trip, fill your freezer and never admit the truth.

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Chippednailvarnish · 01/12/2014 09:47

Cross post.

Find a restaurant that will sell them to you...

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HedgehogsDontBite · 01/12/2014 09:47

I wasn't serious about the chips. It has to be roasties or I might as well cancel Christmas.

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musicalendorphins2 · 01/12/2014 09:48

I think you could, or maybe rice. Or whipped potatoes maybe?

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BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 01/12/2014 09:48

Do you fluff the potatoes - it's all in the fluffing!! Par boil but not too soft.

Make sure the oil is hot enough, get Maris Piper and fluff - lovely jubbly :)

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Fudgalisious · 01/12/2014 09:48

Chop up your potatoes and par boil them for 15 minutes, put them in a sieve to drain and give them a little shake around in it, transfer to the roasting pan, covering them in oil/fat and roast. My Dp is a trained chef and he always races about my roasties.

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Fudgalisious · 01/12/2014 09:49

*raves not races

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EatShitDezza · 01/12/2014 09:49

Just make wedges and call them roast potatoes.

Or cut them in to roast potatoe shapes and just deep fry them. They will never guess Grin

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HarlotOTara · 01/12/2014 09:49

Have you followed Delia or Nigella for instructions? That should work. I use Desiree or King Edwards. Peel and cut into equal size but not too small. Parboil for 5-6 mins, drain, you can then put back in pan and shake to get fluffy edges. Have a roasting pan ready in the oven with hot fat, I use goose as I like it. Add potatoes to roasting pan and I spoon fat over so the potatoes are coated. Put back in hot oven. I think they take about 40 mins but I check and turn them. Take them out when golden with crispy bits - not too golden for me but I think that would depend on how you like them.

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Thehedgehogsong · 01/12/2014 09:49

I'm afraid you're right about it having to be roasties really. Anyone coming on xmas day that can do them for you? Is it your oven, or are you doing something weird to the potatoes?!

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MardyBra · 01/12/2014 09:50

Which spuds are you using? Maris Piper are good.

Presumably you parboil first. And then do you give them a good shake in the saucepan so they get fluffy before putting them in the oven.

Also, make sure the fat in the pan is sizzling before you put them in.

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soupey1 · 01/12/2014 09:50

Is it because of the type of potato you are using - some are not suitable for roasting.

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SaucyJack · 01/12/2014 09:50

Parboil them first, then cover them in oil, bash them up a bit, season and cook in the oven til they're done.

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HedgehogsDontBite · 01/12/2014 09:50

Do you completely cover them in oil then? Maybe that's where I'm going wrong.

Or maybe I'm buying the wrong type of spuds in the first place.

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MardyBra · 01/12/2014 09:50

x posts with everyone.

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R4roger · 01/12/2014 09:50

i follow delia smith's. and like fudgalicious potatoes, they are great.
par boil,
shake in pan.
put in hot roasting tin,
mine are better accompanying a chicken, so when chicken nearly ready and oven and roasting tin hot, do potatoes,
after a short time, chicken ready, turn up oven to 230 for potatoes.

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octopal · 01/12/2014 09:51

It could be the type of potatoes you are using. Not all spuds make good roasties.

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R4roger · 01/12/2014 09:51

oh and take chicken out before you turn up to 230

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arewethereyetmum78 · 01/12/2014 09:51

Mine are awful too. I hosted Christmas dinner a few years ago and begged the chef in our local pub to make me some. I just had to reheat them. Going to hang about thus thread though as I'm sure someone will have an amazing recipe soon

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HedgehogsDontBite · 01/12/2014 09:51

I normally use King Edwards.

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Iggly · 01/12/2014 09:52

Practice!

Also use the right potato. And check them when cooking - surely you do that so they don't burn?

I par boil mine for 10 mins, drain water then lid on and shake to make fluffy. Meanwhile, oven is on at 220c with the roasting dish in the oven and fat (goosefat) to get it smoking. When tats are fluffed, pop into the pan, shake about then in oven for about 45 mins.

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CharlesRyder · 01/12/2014 09:52

I do 45mins on the boil, then into half an inch of pre-heated olive oil for 45mins. Seems fool proof as I can't even make an omelette.

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