
Potato and Parsnip Crisps
The potato and parsnips crisps are wonderful as pre-dinner snacks or as a garnish for a main meal. They are simple to make and taste amazing.
Overview
Potato and parsnip crisps are paper-thin slices of potato and parsnip deep fried until golden and shatteringly crisp. The natural sweetness of the parsnip contrasts beautifully with the starchy potato, and together they make an elegant and addictive snack. They work equally well as a pre-dinner nibble or as a delicate garnish for a plated main course.
Ingredients
- 2 potatoes (large, peeled)
- 3 parsnips (large, peeled)
- 1 litre oil (for frying)
- salt
Method
- Using a vegetable peeler or mandolin, slice the potatoes very, very thinly.
- Using a vegetable peeler or mandolin, slice the parsnips length-ways very, very thinly.
- Dry the slices on a piece of kitchen roll.
- Pre-heat a deep fat frying pan to 180°C.
- Fry the potato crisps and parsnips a handful at a time until crisp and golden all the way through.
- Remove from the oil, and shake off any excess oil.
- Sprinkle over salt, and serve.
Notes
- Slice as thinly as possible, a mandolin gives the most consistent results and is worth using if available.
- Thoroughly drying the slices on kitchen paper before frying is essential; any surface moisture will cause the oil to spit and produce soggy crisps.
- Fry in small handfuls to avoid dropping the oil temperature, which results in greasy rather than crispy crisps.
- Season with salt immediately after removing from the oil so it adheres while the surface is still hot.
Serving
Serve with: pre-dinner drinks as a snack, or as a garnish for soups, salads, or plated main courses Temperature: warm or at room temperature, served immediately after frying Amount: a generous handful per person as a snack; a small bundle as a garnish
Storage
- Best eaten immediately after frying as they lose their crispness quickly.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day; avoid refrigerating as moisture will soften them.
- Re-crisp briefly in a hot oven at 200°C for 3-4 minutes if needed before serving.
More like this
Buttery Mashed Potatoes
Maris Piper potatoes peel and chunk, boil in well-salted water until very tender, drain, return to the hot pan to steam off any moisture. Pass through a ricer or food mill into a clean pan. Cold butter cubes whisk in first; warm milk loosens to the right consistency; salt to taste.
Chanternay Carrots and Parsnips with Maple Syrup and a Mustard Glaze
Chanternay carrots and parsnips with maple syrup and mustard glaze is a sweet, sticky, and deeply flavoursome roasted vegetable side dish. The glaze of maple syrup, wholegrain mustard, and orange caramelises in the oven to coat the vegetables in a rich, glossy finish that elevates any roast dinner.
Mint Sauce
Fresh mint leaves are chopped very fine (or pulsed in a small processor). Sugar dissolves in just-boiled water; cooled briefly; vinegar stirs in. Chopped mint is added to the cool vinegar-sugar mixture; stirred; rested for 15 minutes for the flavours to infuse. Served alongside roast lamb in a small jug or ramekin.
Bombay Potatoes
Bombay Potatoes is comfort food at its finest. Small potatoes are partially cooked, then coated in a richly spiced oil infused with seeds and aromatics. Some potatoes are mashed to create a creamy base, while others remain whole for texture. The result is a warm, golden, deeply spiced side dish that's utterly satisfying. This is a vegetarian staple of Indian home cooking.