Crispiest Ever Potatoes

Tags: Side Dish
Yield: 4
- 1 1/2 pounds small creamer potatoes
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, skins on, smashed
- Leaves from 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- Leaves from 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Add the potatoes to a large saucepan and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Add the baking soda and 1 tablespoon salt to the water. Cover, place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Uncover and continue to boil until the potatoes give easily when pierced with the tip of a knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and set the strainer over the top of the pan for a few minutes so the outsides of the potatoes can dry.
- Dump the potatoes onto a baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and toss with the garlic, thyme and rosemary until the potatoes are completely coated in the oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Using a small juice glass or glass bowl, smash each potato firmly but gently. (You want to just crack the skins and flatten slightly while keeping the potatoes mostly intact.)
- Roast until the bottoms of the potatoes are deep golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip the potatoes using a spatula. Roast until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy on both sides, an additional 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a platter with a metal spatula. Serve while hot.