Cinnamon Free Rösti
Few dishes nail the balance of crispy exterior and tender, yielding interior quite like this Swiss potato cake. The technique here is the real secret — par-cooking the potatoes, chilling them thoroughly, and wringing out every last drop of moisture before they ever hit the pan. That extra effort is what gives you those deeply golden, shatteringly crisp edges instead of a soggy, steamed mess. Butter and a neutral oil work together in the skillet to build rich flavor and even browning without burning, and the confident flip halfway through is genuinely satisfying once you nail it. The ingredient list is refreshingly short and completely straightforward — just potatoes, butter, oil, salt, and pepper — so there's nothing hidden to worry about, no spice blends, no seasoning packets, no surprises. It's the kind of recipe that proves how much technique can do with humble ingredients. Serve it straight from the cutting board in wedges alongside eggs, roasted meats, or whatever else is on the table.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 lbs (about 4 medium) waxy or all-purpose potatoes (such as yukon gold)
- 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (such as canola or sunflower oil), divided
Instructions
- 1
Place the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water by 1 inch, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until a skewer meets firm resistance about halfway through — the potatoes should be just barely tender at the outer edge but still raw at the center, about 10–12 minutes. Drain and let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate uncovered for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) until completely cold.
- 2
Peel the cold potatoes and coarsely grate them on the large holes of a box grater into a large bowl. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper and toss gently to distribute. Spread the grated potato onto a clean kitchen towel, roll it up, and squeeze firmly over the sink to remove as much moisture as possible.
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