Crispy Hash Browns

Welcome to hash browns 101. I could have potatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They can be mashed, shredded, stewed, and baked in various ways. With so many different ways to be prepared they can be added to any dish as a side. I will now tell you how to make the crispiest hash browns. These are a staple for my wife and I and they are a side dish for many of our meals.

Step 1: Ingredients and Supplies

Ingredients:

• 4-5 tbs cooking oil (I use vegetable, but any oil with a high smoking point will work)
• Half a bag of frozen shredded potatoes. (You can use freshly shredded potatoes, but you will need to squeeze as much water out of them as possible.)
• 1 tbs of unsalted butter
• Salt and Pepper for seasoning

Tools:

• Large frying pan
• Spatula
• Heat source

Step 2: Heat, Oil, and Potatoes

Turn on your heat to medium-high and place your pan on the oven. You will then pour the oil into the pan and let it heat up enough to move around the pan and coat the bottom. Pour in your potatoes and spread them out to cover the bottom of the pan completely. Lightly season with salt and pepper too.

Step 3: Seasoning and Checking on the Crisp

Cook your potatoes until there is a light brown char. Push the potatoes on perimeter inward so they are touching the rest of the batch. after a few minutes (5-8) you need to check if this side is done. You can check by lifting the potatoes a bit on the edge. Once they are ready now comes the fun part! They will need to be turned over to the other side to cook. You can either flip them with your spatula or go for the pan flip. I prefer the latter because it looks cool. Make sure you do it over your sink if any rogue potato shreds go flying.

Step 4: Butter It Up!

Once you have flipped your hash browns, you will need to season this side too with salt and pepper. Add your butter and move the butter around the hash to distribute it evenly. Cook on this side for 5-8 minutes or until brown on bottom. Once done you can toss the hash browns in the pan to break it up or leave it together and cut it into pieces.

Step 5: Perfect Side!

Now that your are complete with this side you can add it to any meal! Here it is paired with some Chilaquiles and an avocado.

Enjoy!