Easy Rosemary Roast Potatoes

These Rosemary Roast Potatoes are wonderfully simple yet packed with flavor, making them a perfect side for any meal. The method focuses on creating a crispy exterior with a fluffy interior, enhanced by fresh rosemary and good-quality olive oil. It’s an all-time favorite that fits perfectly with vegan and gluten-free diets while offering comfort food satisfaction.

I discovered this recipe when I was searching for a simple side that would appeal to everyone at holiday dinners and now it's always requested on special occasions

Gather Your Ingredients

• Two kilograms of Maris Piper potatoes: ideal for roasting due to their fluffy texture when cooked
• Five tablespoons of olive oil: adds richness and helps crisp those potatoes beautifully choose a good quality extra virgin for best results
• Four sprigs of fresh rosemary: brings a fragrant pine-like aroma you can substitute with thyme for a different herbal note
• Salt: essential for seasoning and enhancing flavors choose sea salt or kosher salt for better texture and taste

How to Make It

First step Preheat and Prepare Potatoes:

Set your oven to 200 degrees Celsius or 390 degrees Fahrenheit and while it heats, peel and chop your potatoes into evenly sized pieces for uniform cooking

Second step Parboil with Rosemary:

Place the potatoes in a large pot filled with water along with the rosemary sprigs and a pinch of salt bring this to a boil then parboil for 12 minutes testing with a sharp knife to ensure they are tender but not falling apart

Third step Heat the Oil:

Pour two to three tablespoons of olive oil into a large baking dish and place it in the oven to get very hot this sizzling oil is key to crispy potatoes

Fourth step Shake to Rough Up:

Drain the potatoes well removing the rosemary stems but keeping the leaves then return them to the pot cover with a lid and shake vigorously this motion roughs up the edges creating surfaces that brown and crisp beautifully

Fifth step Roast the Potatoes:

Carefully transfer the potatoes into the hot oil in the baking dish you should hear a satisfying sizzle drizzle the remaining olive oil across them, sprinkle generously with salt and roast for 45 minutes

Sixth step Turn and Finish Roasting:

Remove the baking dish from the oven and use a spatula to turn the potatoes so they cook evenly return to the oven for another 45 minutes or until they develop a deep golden color and are crispy all over

The simplicity of this recipe means it never fails to impress guests and always brings back warm memories of laughter and shared meals around the table.

Flavor Boosters

Serving Suggestions Serve these potatoes alongside roasted vegetables and a protein of choice such as grilled tofu, baked beans, or a savory mushroom stew to keep the meal vegan friendly. They also make a fantastic accompaniment to traditional Sunday roasts or an elegant holiday feast.

Serving Suggestions

Cultural and Historical Context Roast potatoes are a beloved staple across British households and many other cultures where roasting root vegetables is a classic cooking technique. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean and has been used for centuries both for its flavor and its aromatic properties in cooking and herbal medicine.

Creative Twists

Seasonal Adaptations In colder months fresh rosemary pairs beautifully with winter vegetables and hearty dishes. During warmer seasons consider a blend of fresh herbs such as parsley, oregano, or basil to brighten the flavor profile. You can also add garlic cloves to the roasting dish for extra depth.

This simple recipe offers a reliable and flavorful side dish perfect for many occasions.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of potatoes work best?

Maris Piper potatoes are ideal for roasting due to their starchy texture that crisps well on the outside while staying fluffy inside.

→ Can rosemary be substituted?

Yes, fresh thyme makes a great alternative and brings a slightly different but complementary flavor profile.

→ Why parboil the potatoes before roasting?

Parboiling partially cooks the potatoes, softening the interior while allowing the exterior to crisp up nicely once roasted.

→ How do you achieve extra crispy potatoes?

After parboiling, shaking the potatoes to roughen their edges creates more surface area for crispiness. Also, using hot olive oil in the roasting tray helps develop a crunchy crust.

→ Can these potatoes be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep in stages: peeling/chopping, parboiling, or after roasting. Refrigerate each stage and reheat as needed in the oven to retain texture.