The Best Roast Potato Recipe & Where To Go For The Best Roast.
Ok...Now we are on to some serious business...Roast Potatoes. The gods, dons, the king of potatoes. If you don't get a decent crispy potato on your roast then really what is the point. Im talking about the kind of potato that makes your heart do a little dance from the fat running down your chin, that crunch sound when your knife dives in and the fluff of potato that appears whilst angels are singing in the background (a bit too much). Perfection. That is happiness. Roast potatoes are hands down one of the best items on a roast. It may be controversial but its true.
Thats why its so devastating when you go for a roast dinner and the potatoes are wack. Thats a resounding 'not coming back' to me. As a coeliac sufferer you kind of have to forfeit the Yorkshire pudding which as heartbreaking as it is.. I would rather have the spuds.
Now as an avid fan of the cheeky roast, and it being my last supper of choice, I have had a few in my time...I mean everyone loves a Sunday sesh don't they? Here are a few of the best roasts I have had in the last couple of years and where to find them.... (if you urgently need the best roast potatoes recipe then scroll down now)
Best Roasts so far...
The Fordwich Arms, Fordwich, Canterbury https://www.fordwicharms.co.uk/
Delicious Food at Fordwich Arms time and time again, a michelin starred pub that delivers on food, ambience and a cracking wine list. Make sure you go for their banging roast if you like a posh Sunday lunch, just make sure you leave room for their amazing desserts. You wont have another like it...
The Curious Brew, Ashford https://www.curiousbrewery.com/brewery
The Curious Brew in Ashford was quite a surprising one. This establishment is where they brew some of the finest beers in Kent and they do so using winemaking methods. Plus its the same company that make the famous and delicious Chapel down wine. So you can understand why I was so surprised that they did a lovely roast which may I add was very reasonably priced. They don't skimp on the meat, the potatoes were very flavoursome and the variety of vegetables they use were great. I do love my 5 a day! Great for going with friends with a few rounds of delicious bubbly..
L Mulligan Grocer, Dublin http://lmulligangrocer1.weebly.com/
This gastro pub in Dublin is well worth the visit to Ireland. Blinding Roast with added extras that really make the whole dish exceptional. Starters were also very good and a great choice of gluten free items on the menu. Dave would have liked more than one roast potato which is understandable but you can ask for extra bowl if needed. Will definitely be going back here for another roast once we can travel again. Give it a go..
Blacklock, Soho https://theblacklock.com/soho/
Blacklock is truly a fantastic place to go for good quality meat. Ive been to Blacklock in Soho and the City and have had their fantastic chops and their roast. Their roast is very good (the photos do not do it justice) You can get a big roast platter for exceptional value and the quality is second to none. If you love your meat you have to try it!
Number 6 Paul Ainsworth, Padstow, https://www.paul-ainsworth.co.uk/number6/
Paul Ainsworth's restaurant in Padstow in Cornwall has got to be one of my favourite places to eat. Twice eating there now and cant wait to go back for a third. We happened to eat there on New years day which was spectacular. This was a fair few years ago now but its still on my mind. Exceptional quality in produce, amazing service and by far one of the best gluten free rolls I have eaten.
When I cant be arsed to go out and want a roast at home I don't skimp ...Posh roasts done by MOi (Recipe's coming soon) and it has to have a gluten free Yorky with it :)
Places on the bucket list for Sunday Lunch once Lockdown is over!!
Harwood Arms, London, https://harwoodarms.com/
The Ned's Sunday Feast, London https://www.thened.com/restaurants/neds-feast
The Cauldron, Bristol, http://www.thecauldron.restaurant/roast.html
The Compasses Inn, Canterbury, https://www.thecompassescrundale.co.uk/
Right back to business the Roast Potato recipe
Ingredients
1.5 kg Red rooster potatoes (You can use any potatoes but these are generally the best for flavour)
1 Jar of goose fat
2 Sprigs of rosemary
1 Garlic clove
Sea Salt Flakes
Pre heat your oven to 220c.
Peel and cut the potatoes into a nice size, you don't want the potatoes to be too big as its easier to create the crisp when they are a bit smaller. Give them a wash and then cover with cold water in a large saucepan with a pinch of salt.
Bring the water up to the boil then turn the heat down to a simmer and carry on cooking for a further five minutes. Check the potatoes after this time, they must still have a bit of give but be slightly soft in the middle. This is when they are ready to take off the heat and where the magic happens. Drain the potatoes carefully into a colander and give a shake. This creates dents and layers in the potatoes which is where the fat will encase and make those edges crispy. Leave to air dry in the colander until they have a slight dried skin and they are easy to remove.
Carefully move each potato one by one to a wire rack. Make sure that the potatoes aren't touching each other so that they can dry out without becoming mushy.
The potatoes may go a little discoloured but ignore that as this is a necessary step. It makes the crispiest potatoes.
Next, put the goose fat in a deep square baking tray with the rosemary sprigs and garlic and heat in the oven for around 8 minutes until its sizzling. Carefully put the potatoes in the fat whilst its still piping hot and give them a quick turn.
Put into the oven and cook for roughly around an hour until very crispy and golden brown. Give them a baste every once while so the fat is evenly distributed.
Once done drain the fat off and sprinkle with a good pinch of sea salt and scatter with a few fresh rosemary leaves.
Enjoy as part of a roast, with gravy, with ketchup, with whatever floats your boat!
The best Roasties :D