
Chef's roast potato recipe uses 1 surprise ingredient for irresistible taste
For a twist on the classic Sunday roast side, cooking whizz Poppy O'Toole has let slip her secret ingredient for the ultimate oven-roasted potatoes – Marmite. Despite the love-it-or-hate-it reputation of Marmite, Poppy assures that "you'll find common ground with these amazing spuds".
She explains: "The addition of that sticky Marmite isn't overpowering in the slightest, it simply wraps the crispy golden potatoes in a deep, umami flavour that complements the subtle sweetness of a roastie. It's impossible to dislike these roast potatoes, and I ask even the most devout hater to give these a go."
Choosing the right potato is key; varieties like King Edwards, Maris Piper, and Russet are top picks for their floury texture, which delivers that sought-after fluffy inside and crisp outside.
Here's how you can achieve this culinary delight:
Ingredients
Four Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and cut into equal-sized chunks
100ml vegetable oil
Plenty of salt to season
One tablespoon of Marmite
Method
Start by getting your potatoes into cold salted water and bring to the boil. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes until falling off the tip of the knife. Don't overcook them as you want them to keep their shape.
After boiling your chosen spuds, let them steam dry under a tea towel for 10 to 15 minutes to enhance their fluffiness, as per the Express.
Crank up your oven to a fiery 240C/220C Fan/Gas Mark 9, get your oil sizzling in a baking tray, then give those tatties a vigorous toss to roughen them up before mixing in your Marmite and introducing them to the hot oil.
Get those spuds sizzling for 20 minutes, then yank them out of the oven and dial the heat back to a toasty 200C/180C Fan/Gas Mark 6.
Once the potatoes are ready, give them a good toss in the tray to fluff them up, mix with your Marmite and then carefully pour into the tray with all that lovely hot oil.
Give those tatties a good tumble and sling them back in for another quarter of an hour. If you're mad about Marmite, now's your chance to slather on some more for that extra yeasty kick.
Wait for them to turn "golden and crispy". Once they've reached peak crunch, whip them out, sprinkle a touch more salt for luck, and tuck in.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
How to clean your greasy extractor fan in just 5 minutes using 1 simple kitchen staple
Extractor fan filters are designed to collect grease, so it's no wonder they can become dirty over time, but cleaning them is easier than you may think You might have a spotless oven at the moment, but if you peek beneath your cooker hood, you could discover a rather different tale regarding your extractor fan filters. If it's been ages or you've never tackled this task, brace yourself for an unpleasant sight. The role of a cooker hood filter is to trap grease in the kitchen, so if it's functioning properly, it's bound to appear and feel oily. As time passes, the filter can become so clogged with grease and dirt that it stops working effectively, which is precisely why it's crucial to clean these filters regularly. Professional cleaner's 'most important' advice for a tidy home - and it's so easy Make 'easy' poached egg in just seconds without a frying pan or vinegar A sensible approach is to clean them every two to three months; though, if you use your hob frequently or cook fried food regularly, you might want to increase that to monthly sessions, reports the Express. However, if you rarely use your hob, you can probably extend this to several more months between cleanings. Posting on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook page, group members revealed their top techniques for cleaning extractor fans properly. Most suggested using either soda crystals or washing powder to remove grease from extractor fans. James Barclay-Smith advised: "Dissolve soda crystals in boiling water, add a good squirt of dish soap and use a sponge scourer or soak. Very good degreaser." Liz Ede wrote: "Put them in boiling hot water and sprinkle soda crystals on. Leave for five minutes before giving it a rinse." Rebecca Palmer shared her method, stating: "I'm very lazy, so soak mine in hot water and soda crystals and liquid for an hour or two. Then drain the water away, give them a rinse, and pat dry, then back up. Don't need scrubbing or anything else. This does a better job than the dishwasher did on mine." An anonymous user suggested: "Take it down and soak it in hot water and soda crystals, a good amount. After about five to 10 minutes, give it a gentle rub with a non-scratch scourer. You might need to use a small brush for the awkward parts." Rebecca Mippress advised: "Get a big tub and soak them in hot water and soda crystals for a couple of minutes." Sally Oldroyd recommended: "Pour in a cup of washing powder in warm water, just soak them, the grease comes straight off dead easy." Matt Del Rio offered his tip, saying: "Soak in biological laundry detergent and hot water in the sink for about half an hour. The grease dissolves and wipes away. Trust me." Wendy from Moral Fibres, a natural cleaning expert, suggests using soda crystals and laundry powder together when cleaning anything greasy, particularly extractor fan filters. "Your extractor fan filter full of grease doesn't have to be a big job to get it clean. All you need to do is dissolve two large spoons of soda crystals and three large spoons of laundry detergent in hot water." She advises soaking your extractor fan filters for around 20 minutes before wiping them down. She added: "I used to dread this job, but soda crystals really do make it easier without too much elbow grease."


Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners' World star Monty Don swears by one tip for healthy rhododendrons
Rhododendrons are a popular choice for many gardeners, thanks to their stunning blooms that come in a wide range of colours - and Monty Don has shared his top tips for keeping them healthy Many adore having rhododendrons in their gardens - and with good reason. They offer wonderful blooms in a wide range of colours, including pink, purple, red and more. Coming in various sizes, they are ideal for both compact and spacious gardens. They are relatively low maintenance, thrive in partial shade and have dense roots that They keep their leaves all year-round, but are sure to deliver a spectacular display in the early summer - as long as gardeners give them the ideal growing conditions. This involves watering them appropriately, according to gardening guru Monty Don, alongside supplying them with suitable soil. The Gardeners' World star has offered some of his top tips for the flowers, explaining that coffee grounds can assist them in flourishing year-round, reports the Express. In a blog entry from August last year, Monty explained: "Camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons form their flower buds in late summer and autumn. In other words, the display that they give you next spring is largely determined over the coming weeks. "If they are too dry, the buds will not form properly, and those that are made quite often subsequently drop off in the spring before flowering." This occurs due to dehydration from the last late summer and autumn, the gardening icon explained. To prevent this, "give them a good soak" now, using rainwater where possible. This proves particularly crucial if they're cultivated in containers since they'll dry out more rapidly. Monty advised providing camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons with a thorough watering weekly for the next few months. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), when cultivated in quality, acidic soil, they are unlikely to require extra nourishment, making them excellent low-maintenance plants. Nevertheless, if you have specimens in pots, they will benefit from a slow-release granular fertiliser in spring, following the manufacturer's instructions. Rhododendrons also don't need much trimming other than the removal of dead wood and deadheading of spent flowers if needed. They respond well to hard cutting back, but make sure to mulch and keep well-watered to "encourage new growth". Five tips for stunning year-round rhododendrons Pick the right location Rhododendrons favour dappled shade - too much sunlight can burn their leaves, while deep shade lessens flowering. Keep them sheltered from strong winds, but ensure they get some morning sun and afternoon shade. Soil matters Gardeners will find that rhododendrons flourish in well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5–6). Improve your soil with organic matter like leaf mould, pine needles, or peat moss. Steer clear of chalky or alkaline soils, as these can lead to yellowing leaves and poor growth. Water wisely With their shallow roots, rhododendrons require consistent moisture, particularly during dry periods and while establishing them as part of your garden. Water deeply but avoid waterlogging - mulch with pine bark or leaf mould to retain moisture and keep roots cool. Feed and mulch annually In early spring, apply a slow-release, ericaceous (acid-loving) fertiliser. Refresh mulch each year to suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and add nutrients. Prune carefully Remove spent flowers (deadheading) after blooming to encourage more blooms next year. Prune lightly after flowering to shape the plant and remove any dead or diseased wood.


Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Bananas will taste 'amazing' months after buying them with expert storage tip
Bananas are a versatile and affordable fruit, making them a household staple. But their short shelf-life can often leave a bad taste in our mouths - however, one expert has shared a simple hack to keep them fresher for longer Bananas are wallet-friendly and versatile, earning their spot as a kitchen staple, yet their brief shelf life often leaves us frustrated. The delicate yellow fruit usually takes pride of place in the fruit bowl for a few days, but when left too long, bananas transform into an unappetizing brown mess. Food waste expert Kate Hall has developed a clever trick for keeping bananas fresh for months using your freezer. But her preservation method isn't what you'd expect. During her stint on the Channel 5 show Fresh Vs Frozen: Which is Better? Kate revealed the "split" technique she uses to preserve bananas for extended periods. Stop potatoes from sprouting early with a 'life-changing' food storage hack Cucumbers won't go slimy if stored with one item that everyone has in the kitchen Kate said: "When we stop and think about how far a banana, for example, has travelled - the land, the water, the energy, the transportation, the packaging, everything that has gone into that piece of food - that we're letting go of... into the bin has an enormous impact on our planet." The food waste expert noted that whilst popping a whole banana in the freezer is doable, "it does turn black and look rather disgusting when you defrost it". Instead of recommending chopping the banana into round slices for freezing, Kate suggested a different tactic: splitting it. She explained: "You can just slice it on the tray but also, if you pop your finger into the end of the banana, it will separate into three fingers and then they are just amazing dipped in chocolate." Bananas can be safely frozen for up to six months; though they are best consumed within the first two to three months. Despite being safe to eat, bananas left in freezing conditions for extended periods may develop freezer burn reports the Express. Storing Kate's split chocolate bananas is straightforward. Line a baking tray or freezer drawer with greaseproof paper and arrange the three "fingers" flat-side up. Melt your preferred chocolate in a bowl (either over simmering water or in the microwave), then drizzle or spoon it onto the flat side of the bananas. Allow them to cool slightly before placing the bananas in the freezer unwrapped (leaving them on the baking paper). Once set, move the bananas to an airtight container or ziplock bag - this step is crucial to minimise freezer burn. The bananas can then be stored in the freezer for several months.