Crispy potatoes that are a smash

It was Saturday night and finally a chance to have a home cooked meal.  Hubby wanted to barbecue some chicken and then use the peanut sauce that was left over from the szechuan noodle salad as a sauce.  I wanted these potatoes.  I have made them a couple of times before and they are so good.  I had grabbed a bag of small red potatoes about a week ago from the store with the intention of making these.  We finally had a opportunity and they did not disappoint us.  The kids love them and my son couldn't wait to grab seconds and clear the plate.

These are very easy with just three ingredients.  They can be prepared ahead of time and put in the oven about 30 minutes before dinner.  

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

• 12 to 15 baby red or yellow potatoes (about 1-1/2 oz. each; 1-1/2 to 2 inches in diameter)
• 2-3/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Boil the potatoes: Put the potatoes in a large saucepan (preferably in one layer) and cover with at least an inch of water. Add 2 tsp. kosher salt to the water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook the potatoes until they are completely tender and can be easily pierced with a metal or wood skewer. Make sure they are cooked through but don’t overcook. The total cooking time will be 30 to 35 minutes.

  While the potatoes are cooking, set up a double layer of clean dishtowels on your counter top. As the potatoes finish cooking, remove them individually from the water, and let them drain and sit for just a minute or two on the dishtowels.

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  Flatten and cool the potatoes: Fold another dishtowel into quarters, and using it as a cover, gently press down on one potato with the palm of your hand to flatten it to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Repeat with all the potatoes. Don’t worry if some break apart a bit; you can still use them.

  Cover a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil; put a sheet of parchment on top of the foil. Transfer the flattened potatoes carefully to the baking sheet and let them cool completely at room temperature.

  Roast the potatoes: Remove the pan of potatoes from the refrigerator, if prepared ahead. Heat the oven to 450°F. Alternatively, if you have a convection function, turn it on and set the temperature at 400°F. Sprinkle the potatoes with about 3/4 tsp. salt and pour the olive oil over them. Lift the potatoes gently to make sure some of the oil goes underneath them and that they are well coated on both sides. Roast the potatoes until they’re crispy and deep brown around the edges, about 30 minutes if using a convection oven, 30 to 40 minutes if roasting conventionally, turning over once gently with a spatula or tongs halfway through cooking. Serve hot.

  Make Ahead Tips:  Do the busy work—boiling and flattening the potatoes—up to 8 hours ahead. Let potatoes cool completely, and store them on the pan, lightly covered, in the fridge. Then all you have to do at the last minute is coat with oil and salt and roast.
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