How Do You Cook Hash Browns?

[bradmartin31]

how do you cook hash browns so they don't burn?

[stuey]

One of my favorite meals, OG. Left-over potatoes, onions, peas, carrots; just about anything fried, preferably, in bacon fat.

[Clanad]

Here in the western U.S., hash browns are a staple at every little eatery. They're best made from grated fresh potatoes, a little salt and a lot of pepper (to taste of course). Best us a cast iron skillet and lard, but butter will do,

First, grate the potatoes and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water… swish them around to release as much starch as possible and then place the drained spuds in a cotton, white, kitchen dish towel (the ones made from flour sacks are the best) and squeeze them until the water stops dripping.

Having heated the lard (or butter) to the point that a drop of water skitters across the skillet, place the potatoes in the center and flatten with a spatula. Fry until a golden crisp forms on the bottom, then flip them over for just a few minutes, flip them back and et voila great hash browns!

The best tool one can find for this adventure is a potato ricer. We have three or four of the antique tools around… one can buy a newer model but this is the best: https://www.etsy.com/listing/189295676/vintage-kitchen-tool-potato-ricer-with?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=vintage-housewares-low&gclid=CMu_j6f25sACFSpp7AodoTEA9Q … (apologies for the long URL).

In this case though one wouldn't use the ricer to cut up the potatoes but, rather, use it to squeeze out the water by placing the already grated and rinsed potatoes in the device and squeezing out nearly all of the water… very easy. (It's great for making mashed potatoes as well… but that's another story...

[Obiter]

Easier method:

1 Go the the supermarket

2 Take bag of frozen hash browns from the freezer

3 Go to checkout and pay cashier

4 Go home and put them in the oven for the time recommended on the packet.