Ingredients
▢1kg/ 2 lb potatoes (skin on weight) - Aus: Sebago (dirt brushed), US: Yukon Gold, Russet, UK: Maris Piper, King Edwards (Note 1)
▢3/4 tsp salt, kosher/cooking salt (or 1/2 tsp table salt)
▢1/2 tsp finely ground black pepper
▢15g/ 1 tbsp clarified butter/ghee or normal butter, melted (Note 2)
COOKING:
▢60g/ 4 tbsp clarified butter/ghee, separated (sub half butter, half vegetable oil) (Note 2)
Instructions
GRATE & SQUEEZE:
Peel then grate the potatoes using a box grater, trying to get nice long strands if you can.
Grab handfuls of potato and squeeze out excess liquid, then place in a bowl. This helps make the potato crispier (otherwise all that water has to steam out in the pan).
Add butter, salt and pepper then toss. Don't worry if your potatoes go brown/reddy - it's still safe to eat and turns white again when cooked.
COOK
Melt half the clarified butter in a 26cm / 10.5" (or thereabouts) non-stick pan or skillet over medium-low heat. A shallow non-stick pan with sloped sides is best for easy rosti removal.
Place the potato in the pan, but do not pack down. Use a rubber spatula to tidy the edges, then lightly pat down to even surface.
Cook first side: Cook 12 minutes until the underside is very golden and crispy, lifting edge with a rubber spatula to check. If by 8 minutes it is not going golden, increase heat.
TIP: Insurance policy - If you didn't use a nonstick pan, slide the rubber spatular underneath all the way to the middle and run it around, to be 100% sure nothing is stuck before attempting a flip.
Flip: Cover pan with a round wooden board with a handle (or anything similar with a handle, Note 3). Holding the handle of the board, flip quickly - and with confidence!
Cook second side: Melt remaining clarified butter in the pan, then slide the rosti back in and cook for 12 minutes until golden crispy, and there is no resistance when a knife is inserted into the middle.
Slide onto a cutting board, cut into 4 or 6 wedges and serve immediately!
SMALL ROSTI
Use 25g / 1 1/2 tbsp clarified butter for each batch, medium heat in a nonstick pan. Place potato in rounds in a skillet, around 8cm / 3" wide, 1.5 - 2cm / 2/3" thick (without patting down). Cook 5 minutes until deep golden and crispy, flip, and cook another 5 minutes until done.
TO HOLD / KEEP WARM
Transfer to rack set over the tray in a 120°C/250°F oven until ready to serve.