
Poppy O'Toole's salt and vinegar crispy cubes – the ultimate chip upgrade
SIGN UP
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy
'If you're the sort of person who delves to the depths of the chip cone for those crispy scraps bobbing about in a sea of vinegar, this is the recipe for you,' says chef and food writer Poppy O'Toole.
'These cubes are perfect served alongside battered cod and some fluorescent curry sauce.'
Salt and vinegar crispy cubes
Ingredients:
1kg Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and cut into 2cm cubes
100ml malt vinegar, plus extra to serve
4 tbsp neutral oil
Flaky salt, to serve
Method:
open image in gallery An entire book dedicated to the world's greatest carb? Finally
( Bloomsbury )
1. Get your potatoes into a saucepan of heavily salted, cold water. Add the vinegar, place the pan over a high heat and bring the liquid to the boil. Reduce the heat and leave on a gentle boil for 5-7 minutes, until the potatoes fall off the tip of a knife.
2. Drain in a colander. Place the colander over the pan on the turned-off hob, cover with a clean tea towel and leave the potatoes to steam-dry for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/400F/gas 6 and get the oil into a baking tray. Pop the tray into the oven to get the oil hot. This is important for getting that crispy crunchiness.
4. Once the potatoes have steam-dried, get the hot tray out of the oven, carefully tip in the potatoes and turn to coat.
5. Roast the potatoes for 30 minutes, then give them a mix and put them back in the oven for a further 15 minutes, until super-golden and crunchy. Keep an eye on them in case they need less or more time. (Alternatively, you can fry them in a fryer).
6. Serve sprinkled with flaky salt and an extra dousing of vinegar.
Recipe from 'The Potato Book' by Poppy Cooks (Bloomsbury, £22).

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


Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Get 'extra smooth' mashed potato when you swap butter for one other ingredient
Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food, but one expert has shared a simple trick for making them extra smooth and creamy by swapping ingredients - it's so yummy. The most straightforward method for creating this tender and satisfying dish involves boiling spuds and crushing them thoroughly until completely smooth. However, any household chef who appreciates taste will recognise that a rich addition is crucial for optimal outcomes. Whilst numerous individuals rely on butter, cream and milk for velvety mashed potato, a culinary expert, who also established The Gift of Oil, has suggested an alternative component. In an exclusive chat with Phil Bianchi observed that "we certainly love our mashed potatoes here in the UK", explaining that there are four steps he never omits when preparing them at home. In other news, a writer claimed 'I tried butter from Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and big brands - and the winner is not Lurpak'. Above all else, Phil encouraged mash enthusiasts to "go easy on the dairy" in preference of flavoured oil instead. He explained: "People often add way too much milk, butter and cream, thinking it will make them smoother and fluffier - it's not the case. Whatever dairy you add, make sure it's equal parts and don't overdo it. "Instead, add some flavour. Once you've reduced the amount of dairy, add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a small squeeze of fresh lemon or use an infused olive oil, such as rosemary and garlic olive oil. The extra liquid is the key to extra smooth mashed potatoes and it's a fresher taste too, perfect for any summer mash based recipes." Phil's mashed potato recipe Ingredients Two large potatoes, peeled and chopped into chunks (Maris Piper, King Edward, Roosters are all good for mash) One tablespoon of butter with equal parts milk OR cream (never both) A good drizzle of olive oil A squeeze of fresh lemon Method When it comes to crafting the ultimate mashed potato, technique proves equally crucial as taste. Initially, peel the potatoes and slice them with care. Phil observed that dimensions are vital in this instance, emphasising: "Try to cut the chunks of potato fairly evenly so that everything cooks at the same time. Definitely don't use any really small potatoes as they'll turn to mush, not mash - big difference!". Place the prepared spuds into a large saucepan of bubbling water with generous salt. "As with pasta, you want the water nice and salty for the potatoes. This is the best way to add a salty flavour", explained Phil. Once the water reaches boiling point, lower the temperature and allow the potatoes to bubble gently for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes become tender. After cooking, strain the potatoes thoroughly and place them back into the saucepan. Let them rest for a moment to allow any surplus moisture to disappear. Incorporate the butter and milk or cream into the pan and crush the potatoes using a potato masher or a fork. Slowly incorporate the olive oil into the mashed potatoes, crushing until you achieve your preferred texture. You can incorporate more or less oil according to your taste. Phil advised: "Change up the ingredients: You don't have to just keep it simple with your mashed potato, why not add other ingredients too such as parmesan, chilli flakes, mustard or parsley. This will really up your game and impress the guests!".


The Independent
7 days ago
- The Independent
VE Day overshadows VJ Day, veterans' descendants say
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice VE Day often overshadows VJ Day, descendants of Second World War veterans have said during a screening of their wartime letters. Passers-by paused to watch recordings of loved ones' reading excerpts from the notes at the free installation to commemorate VJ Day. One message, heard at the launch in central London on Tuesday, said: 'I'll think of you wherever you are, if it be near or far. I'll think of you. We'll meet again someday, when dreams come true.' Another line, from a doctor in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, read: 'Our dreams have finally come true. The nightmare is over.' VJ Day on August 15 marks the anniversary of Japan's surrender to the Allies following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, effectively ending the Second World War. Veronica Silander's father was an RAF airman and prisoner of war in Batavia, now Jakarta in Indonesia, and wrote his letter around two months after he was captured. It was the first message Ms Silander's mother had received from Maurice Read since he was taken and it included the line: 'So once again, do not worry please. I am OK and intend to remain so.' As the letters played on the large screens behind, Ms Silander told the PA news agency: 'The youngsters need to know about (VJ Day), I think it's often in the shadow of VE Day. 'I think probably 80 years, you know, even people like myself are not going to be around that had direct contact with somebody, so I think we should mark it.' She added: 'I think my mother must have been very distressed to know that he was still a prisoner when all the celebration was going on.' Her father rarely spoke about the war but would say 'when you woke up in the morning, you didn't know who was going to be dead beside you'. Ms Silander knows little more than that he trained in Auckland, New Zealand, and was captured two weeks after they were taken to Singapore by sea. Families received leaflets telling them 'do not ask the veterans about the war', she said. 'I think they just wanted them to come home and forget about it,' she added. John Sanderson served with the Royal Navy in the Far East between 1944 and 1946, and his letter to his fiance included the line 'we'll meet again someday, when dreams come true'. His son, Brian Sanderson, told PA: 'My father always said VJ Day was forgotten.' He would tell his wife that while people were dancing on VE Day 'I had kamikaze pilots coming down on me still'. VJ Day was hardly marked until recently, Mr Sanderson said, adding that his parents did not often speak about the war. 'That's the sad thing, is that we never asked them, they never spoke about it, and the stories have gone – I have no-one left from the Second World War,' he said. The installation runs until Saturday at Outernet, near Tottenham Court Road station, and was organised in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).


The Independent
23-07-2025
- The Independent
‘Happiness is Contagious': Apple TV+ just teased a new show from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan
The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?