Crispy parmesan potatoes with pesto mayo

I don't often do side dishes as such (I'm all about the mains usually!) This however started off as an experiment, but tasted so good that I thought I have to do a recipe for it. I'm sure you've all seen thousands of TikTok's or reels about crispy potatoes, but combined with some proper cooking techniques and delicious Italian flavours, this is a real winner and one which is just as good as an indulgent comfort food or as a dinner party centrepiece. Have a butchers at how to make it:

Ingredients (serves 2-4 as a side):

• 750g baby/new potatoes

• 1 lemon

• 5 tbsp mayonnaise

• 3 tbsp homemade pesto (recipe here)

• 60g parmesan cheese

• 1 tsp oregano

• 1 tsp chilli flakes

• 10g Parsley leaves

method:

1. Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and season well with salt. Add the potatoes and cook for 12 mins until just tender.

2. In the meantime, mix the zest of the lemon with the mayonnaise and pesto in a bowl. Add lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Grate the parmesan and mix with the oregano and chilli flakes, and set aside.

4. Bring a frying pan up to a medium-high heat with a large glug of olive oil. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain and leave to steam-dry. Once dried, add them to the pan (there should be a sizzle), and crush with a masher/wooden spoon until the skin just breaks - they should be flattened but still in one piece. Cook for 3 mins, or until deeply golden brown and crispy, then flip and repeat.

5. 30 seconds before the end of cooking, sprinkle in the parmesan mixture into the pan and toss to coat. Remove from the pan and set aside for a minute to let the parmesan crisp up and the potatoes cool.

6. Wipe the pan clean, add more oil to the pan and bring back up to a medium/high heat. Add the parsley to the oil, taking care to avoid the splatter. Cook for 30 seconds until crispy, then add to the potatoes. Mix together and serve with the pesto mayo and a slice of lemon.

Would recommend giving this a try if you're feeling like you want some fancy chips (essentially what this is!) but don't want to go to the faff of deep frying. As always, holla at me @OTCooks_Eats on insta if you make it, would love to see your recreations. Enjoy! OT x