Can You Make Roast Potatoes In Advance

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell about roast potatoes, and it's not just any tale, it's a tale of time, convenience, and the eternal struggle against the clock. You know how it is, we're all juggling a million things, and sometimes, the humble roastie gets lost in the shuffle.

So, Can We Cheat a Little?

We're all busy bees, right? So, the question on our minds is, can we make these little golden nuggets of joy ahead of time? I mean, who wants to be slaving over a hot stove when you could be, well, not slaving over a hot stove?

Let's Talk Science, Baby

Now, before we dive in, let's get our science hats on. Potatoes are made up of, among other things, starch. When we cook them, the starch turns into something called 'retrograde starch'. It's a fancy way of saying it turns into something that's not so soft anymore. So, if we cook them ahead of time, they might not be as soft and fluffy when we reheat them. But, don't worry, we're not saying they'll be inedible, just not as fresh as when they're straight out of the oven.

But, here's the thing, we're not trying to win a Michelin star here, we're just trying to make our lives a little easier. So, if we can get away with a slightly less perfect roastie, I say we give it a go.

Alright, Let's Do This

First things first, you want to parboil your potatoes. This means you're going to boil them for a bit, but not all the way. You're just trying to get them started. Once they're parboiled, you want to drain them and let them cool. This is where you can stop if you're making them ahead of time. Just pop them in the fridge until you're ready to roast.

Mary Berry's trick for cooking perfect roast potatoes that can be made

When you're ready to roast, you want to make sure your potatoes are dry. This is key to getting that crispy skin we all love. So, if you've made them ahead of time, you might want to pat them dry with a paper towel before you toss them in oil and chuck them in the oven.

Now, here's where the magic happens. You want to roast them at a high temperature, like 400°F or 200°C. This is going to give you that crispy skin we all know and love. And, if you're reheating them, you can do the same thing. Just make sure you heat them through, you don't want a crispy outside and a cold inside.

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But What About the Fluff?

Alright, so they might not be as fluffy as if you'd made them fresh. But, here's the thing, you can cheat a little. When you're ready to serve, you can toss them back in the oven for a few minutes. This is going to give them a little extra crisp and fluff them up a bit. It's not perfect, but it's close enough, and who's going to complain about extra crispy potatoes?

So, Is It Worth It?

Well, that's up to you. If you're the kind of person who likes everything to be perfect, you might want to stick to making them fresh. But, if you're like me, and you're just trying to get dinner on the table without losing your mind, then yes, it's absolutely worth it.

Think about it, you're saving time, you're not stressing out, and you're still getting to enjoy those delicious roast potatoes. It's a win-win, folks. So, next time you're planning a big dinner, give it a try. Your future self will thank you.