Roast potatoes!

[Fuchzia]

'Doing' Xmas for the first time and totally confused by roasties. Do I peel or not peel? How big do I cut them? Should I add semolina or anything else? Should the fat be hot or cold? How do you do it?

Aunt Bessie

Peel
Cut spuds into quarters (if medium sized)
Parboil for about 10-15 mins
Drain
Put lid tightly back on pot and shake to fluff up spuds
Heat oil (duck or goose fat is even better)
Tip in spuds
Bung in hot oven (220c) until golden & crispy

Peel, parboil (10-15 mins). Then - and this is important - drain and pan to the hob to dry the potatoes out. You will not have lovely crispy, fluffy roast potatoes if you put them in the pan really wet. Heat the oil in the oven and roast. They will be perfect, I promise you.

Sounds perfect Ifyousee was determind to do everything 'properly' this year but still in bed with stockings and DS If I had the Aunt Bessie option I would take it!

I zap them for 2 minutes per spud, wrap in foil and put hem in the BBQ or oven

I know roast potatoes are custom, but iteir jackets in foil are easier to cook, healthier and easier to clean up afterward

Ifyouseekaysanta has dh's rules to a tee. And his are perfect!

Easy and safe: (No faffing with hot oil)

Peel and cut into chunks about 4cm square. Parboil for at least 5 minutes in salted water. Put the potatoes in the water when it is cold - then bring to the boil - this makes the middles softer.

Drain in a colander and give them a good shake to roughen the surfaces.

Put into a roasting tin with some cold olive oil and chopped clove of garlic. Sprinkly with rosemary if you have some.

Swish around and turn over in the oil so they are covered. Roast in a hot oven until golden and crispy.