Garlic Roasted Potatoes

These garlic roasted potatoes are incredibly simple to make, melt in your mouth, and are bursting with flavor. They are a great addition to any family dinner and are perfect for Thanksgiving!

Let me begin by saying that I love these garlic roasted potatoes. They are seriously addicting, and I have to make extra because I always end up picking at them before serving.

I know on Thanksgiving mashed potatoes are the typical side dish, but for me, no Thanksgiving spread is complete without these potatoes.

What I love about them is not only are they ridiculously easy to make, but each piece is bursting with flavor and melts in your mouth!

In most recipes, I opt for fresh minced garlic. However, in this recipe, you wouldn't get the same flavor payoff if you didn't use granulated garlic.

You can also use powdered garlic if you want, in which case, cut the measurement down by half.

TYPES OF POTATOES

There are generally three types of potatoes: waxy, starchy, and those in between.  

WAXY

Waxy potatoes, such as Red Bliss and fingerlings, have a smooth skin and creamy, almost shiny flesh. 

Because waxy potatoes are relatively low in starch and high in moisture, they stay intact when they’re cooked.  

STARCHY AKA FLOURY

The most common example of starchy potato are russets, A.K.A. Idaho potatoes.  

As you may have guessed by their name, they’re higher in starch and lower in moisture than waxy potatoes. They are matte-skinned and fall apart when boiled.

Starchy potatoes are ideal for adding creaminess to puréed soups or providing the airy, whipped texture to a mash. They are also good for roasting and frying.

IN-BETWEEN

These fall somewhere between the waxy and floury, making them the “all-purpose” potatoes.  The most commonly known of them are Yukon Golds.

Because they hold their shape when boiled, grated, or fried, and yield to mashing, they’re very versatile.

Adjusting for a Convection Oven

Convection ovens blow the hot air around, producing around 25 to 30 percent more heat.

Since convection ovens produce more heat, you need either lowering the temperature or shortening the cooking time to compensate.

When recipes specify temperatures and cooking times, it’s for conventional ovens, unless specified otherwise.

A simple rule to follow is to lower the temperature by 25ºF or 14ºC when baking cookies and pies, and 50ºF or 28ºC when roasting meat and poultry. Some convection ovens offer separate settings for baking and for roasting.

You can also leave the temperature the same and instead, shorten the cooking time by 25 percent. For example, if your recipe calls for 60 minutes in the oven, check the food after 45 minutes instead.

However, keep in mind, some convection ovens actually make a heat adjustment for you. That is, if you set a convection oven for 350ºF, it might actually set itself to 325ºF to compensate. So, check your manual before making adjustments.