As the festive season reaches its peak, the pressure to deliver the perfect roast dinner is on. For many, the crowning glory of the plate is the humble roast potato, and now, culinary icon Delia Smith has shared her definitive five-step method to guarantee a flawless, crispy result every single time.
The Delia Smith Method: A Step-by-Step Guide
Smith's approach is a masterclass in technique, starting with her specific ingredient recommendations. She advises using 225g of potatoes per person, favouring the Desirée variety for its reliable texture. For the fat, she suggests 50g of dripping or lard per portion, along with a generous seasoning of salt.
The process begins by placing a roasting tray with the fat on the top shelf of an oven preheating to 200°C (Gas Mark 6). While that heats, potatoes should be peeled thinly. Keep small ones whole and halve larger ones to ensure uniform size, which is crucial for even cooking.
The Crucial Steaming and Shaking Technique
Next, the potatoes are steamed over a pan of boiling water for at least 10 minutes on a low heat. This initial cook softens them. Smith's pro tip is to check if the edges are fluffy by running a skewer along the surface. If it's still smooth, they need a few more minutes.
Then comes the celebrated game-changing step. After draining, place a lid on the saucepan and shake it vigorously. This action roughens up the cooked edges of the potatoes, creating a floury, fluffy surface. This texture is the secret foundation for achieving those coveted ultra-crunchy edges during roasting.
Roasting to Golden Perfection
Carefully remove the now-sizzling hot roasting tray from the oven and place it on a medium-heat hob. Using a long-handled spoon, gently lower the potatoes into the fat. Roll each potato to ensure it is fully coated before returning the tray to the oven's top shelf.
The roasties will need approximately 50 minutes to an hour to turn a gorgeous, golden brown. Remarkably, Smith states there is no need to turn them halfway through, as they will cook evenly on their own.
For serving, season with salt immediately after cooking to preserve their crunch. If the main dish isn't ready, they can be kept warm in the oven after it has been switched off. With Delia Smith's expert guidance, perfectly crispy roast potatoes are no longer a festive wish, but a guaranteed delicious reality.
