[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Jessica.

Yeah, I don't know what to do this year either, I usually make something elaborate like a nut roast or a wellington but with a little one around I don't think I'll have time. I've been saving up the last of my gravy granules from August in case I do a roast.

…you must be so excited for baby’s first Christmas, Jess…such a special time for you…so many lovely firsts……

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by MTVN

The pub is my favourite part of Christmas day it's usually only open 12-2 and everyone is in such good spirits

Suspect it'll be down to me Mum to do the bulk of the cooking but she enjoys that (honest!). My brother fancies himself as a cook so I'm sure he'll chip in. I might do the roasties as I've had some success at producing pretty beautiful ones recently

Hopefully a champagne brekkie will be on the cards too

What's your method? I'm very particular about a good roastie

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by ChristmasNeeve

What's your method? I'm very particular about a good roastie

I boil them for a good 15 mins, fluff them up in a sieve, season them big time with salt and thyme then whack them in a scolding hot dish that has been in the oven with goose fat and garlic. Might drizzle with some olive oil too

I am always open to improving my method though with any tips

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I boil them for a good 15 mins, fluff them up in a sieve, season them big time with salt and thyme then whack them in a scolding hot dish that has been in the oven with goose fat and garlic. Might drizzle with some olive oil too

I am always open to improving my method though with any tips

I like to use Rosemary rather than thyme, not a huge fan of thyme but that's personal taste, other than I do them in a very similar way to you, probably boil them for a little bit less time but I also like smaller roasties so that probably balances itself out

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by ChristmasNeeve

I like to use Rosemary rather than thyme, not a huge fan of thyme but that's personal taste, other than I do them in a very similar way to you, probably boil them for a little bit less time but I also like smaller roasties so that probably balances itself out

Interesting, I used to just boil them for a few minutes until someone advised me to boil them longer. I'm not sure if it made much difference but it became a habit

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Interesting, I used to just boil them for a few minutes until someone advised me to boil them longer. I'm not sure if it made much difference but it became a habit

I usually do 5/10mins, don't want them falling away to nothing either

[Crimson Dynamo]

I find thyme is a great healer

[Zizu]

Originally Posted by Christmas Dynamo

I find thyme is a great healer

Clever !

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by ChristmasNeeve

We're the opposite, we usually have an hour between the courses otherwise I'd be full after the starter We stay around the table for the afternoon eating, drinking and playing Christmas cracker games etc

ah we just have dinner, no starter, and pudding is usually our tea at 5pm

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Interesting, I used to just boil them for a few minutes until someone advised me to boil them longer. I'm not sure if it made much difference but it became a habit

you need to boil for about 10 minutes, then drain and shake them in the saucepan with the lid on, so it roughs up the outside or score them with a fork, this makes them super crispy

oh never mind me you already said

[Redway]

A couple of us.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Aunt Bessie is doing my roasties

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Christmas Dynamo

Aunt Bessie is doing my roasties

sacriledge

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Cherie Christmas

sacriledge

No, in the oven

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Christmas Dynamo

No, in the oven

laziness, peel a few spuds and get some goose fat

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Cherie Christmas

laziness, peel a few spuds and get some goose fat

Too much going on

and I never peel potatoes

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Christmas Dynamo

Aunt Bessie is doing my roasties

[Niamh.]

Frozen roasties are awful

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by ChristmasNeeve

Frozen roasties are awful

Incorrect

Taste just as good as faffing about thinking you are Fanny Craddock

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Christmas Dynamo

Incorrect



Taste just as good as faffing about thinking you are Fanny Craddock

They're absolutely not anywhere close to as good

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by ChristmasNeeve

They're absolutely not anywhere close to as good

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by ChristmasNeeve

Frozen roasties are awful

Louder for the people at the back!

[bots]

the reason you boil them first is to get rid of the starch which makes them crispier on the outside. Boiling is also what results in a fluffy centre

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by bots

the reason you boil them first is to get rid of the starch which makes them crispier on the outside. Boiling is also what results in a fluffy centre

…it’s not just the boiling, it’s the shaking that makes all of the fluffy bits happen that go crisp…just to add to all of the other boil times, I’m an exactly 8 minute gal…not a second more, not a second less…utter bliss as Arista would say…

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Pigeon Lady

…it’s not just the boiling, it’s the shaking that makes all of the fluffy bits happen that go crisp…just to add to all of the other boil times, I’m an exactly 8 minute gal…not a second more, not a second less…utter bliss as Arista would say…

Yeah 8 minutes is a pretty perfect time