The 21st Century Housewife's Easy Roast Potatoes

Most everyone loves roast potatoes, and they are usually a favourite part of any traditional Sunday lunch or dinner. However, roast potatoes really do seem like more of a special occasion potato to me because of the labour involved in preparing them. Peeling, parboiling, and cooking them for just the right amount of time in a really hot oven isn't always the easiest thing to do when you are in a rush - particularly on a weeknight. So how to enjoy the taste of this wonderful potato dish without the hassle?  


Let me share a little secret with you - 

New potatoes make gorgeous little roasties! They taste great with just about anything and kids love them because they are "kid sized". Plus they are so easy to prepare they are perfect for even those nights when making dinner feels like the proverbial last straw.


To generously serve four, all you need is:-


About three to four cups of washed or scrubbed new potatoes, skin on
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)


Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Make sure they are nice and dry before you do this so the oil will coat them. Heat the oven up to about 375 to 400℉ (about 190℃).


In a small dish, mix together the oil, garlic salt, pepper and rosemary (if using). Pour this mixture over the new potatoes and toss with your hands to coat them thoroughly.


Carefully place the baking sheet in the oven (these little guys are prone to rolling off) and roast for about 20 to 30 minutes, gently turning them once half way through. They are done when they are lovely and golden brown with a crispy skin outside and a soft, creamy centre within.  


Serve with anything you like, and enjoy the compliments! If you do have any leftovers (which I have personally found is a very rare occurrence) cool them to fridge temperature and mix them with some celery, red pepper, some finely chopped hard boiled egg and a couple tablespoons of mayonnaise to make a really different but amazingly delicious potato salad.