At last I mastered the art of the perfect roast potato!

We go roast free for December, so really look forward to our Christmas dinner!

Mine went wrong yesterday. I had had the oven on the timer, but did not realise it had switched itself off, so I reckon the temperature was not hot enough for about 20 minutes. It was probably only off for five minutes but long enough to cool then reheat. Everything else was cooked on time but we were waiting for the potatoes.

I'm with phoenix, it's Maris Pipers, pre boiled, shaken in the pan, then into the oven. Yesterday I did the pre boil bit at 8am whilst making coffee and didn't put them into the oven till an hour before we ate. I just sprinkled olive oil over them then put them at the top of a hot oven - they were pronounced excellent and there are none left. The other down side was that I forgot to remove the dish of stuffing from the bottom of the oven where it had been keeping warm. Burned to a crisp so into the bin but fortunately, the stuffing in the turkey was good.
I love Christmas food. I also can't imagine only eating roast potatoes once a year - they're a weekly (at least) treat here.

I always use red potatoes, parboil for 5 minutes, shake them up a bit and spray with olive or rapeseed oil before roasting in a hot oven.

More or less the same as phoenix but I use duck or goose fat really hot and a really hot oven.

I’m going to try that Phoenix. I do them very seldom now as I’ve never felt happy with the result, but this has inspired me to try again!

Mine always come out well.

I use Maris Pipers, get the hob ready, pour boiling water over them, boil for about 10 minutes, drain, shake well to rough them up a bit, roast in sunflower oil at a high temperature, turn occasionally.

My roasties are always great (this from a woman who can't make yorkshires to save her life). My secret is cook them in butter. Shocking I know, but I only do them once a year so I think it's allowable.

That was the question I was just about to ask Bellanonna !

I can do roasties, but not as well as my DD.
Maybe it is because I don't have the oven hot enough, or is it because, I now use oil, instead of the old fashioned lard?

I agree about potatoes being the best part of a roast but could could you please share your secret? Type of potato used, what you did,etc to get them so memorable. Always happy to learn of a success and try it myself!

Well done, quit whilst you are ahead. I agree the best part is the roasties.