Hash browns: food or DIY material

[silverthorn2151]

In theory a hash brown should tick many boxes. In fact all of those boxes would be on my list.

The reality, from my careful and scientific research over several decades is that they tick none of those boxes and are served as slightly warm and slightly damp chipboard.

I've tried them in all sorts of places from fast food to cafes, builders to groovy, and fancy joints. I don't member having one that didn't leave a funny taste in my mouth, with an unappealing texture.

Yet I still order them in the joyful anticipation of a tasty outcome.

Is it just me.....and yes, I've just had a breakfast with a bloody awful hash brown.

[C0ffin D0dger]

Never really understood the appeal myself and yet I'll still load them onto the plate if I'm somewhere with a breakfast buffet. Just additional stodge to fill me up.

[4x4Tyke]

I think cheap potatoes with poor texture and taste are the main problem with hash browns, the same problem exists in most reformed potatoes products such as waffles and most brands of oven chips. It wouldn't surprise me that they deliberate choose varieties that are very starchy for preservation reasons.

Edited by 4x4Tyke on Tuesday 5th June 08:48

[Vocal Minority]

4x4Tyke said:

I think cheap potatoes with poor texture and taste are the main problem with hash browns, the same problem exists in most reformed potatoes products such as waffles and most brands of oven chips.

Those are three of my five a day there....

[jet_noise]

Oven versions from the supermarket work for me.
Waitrose Rosti too, same kind of thing

[matrignano]

Try making roesti yourself. Grate some potatoes, dry them, add one egg and a little flour, then fry and keep compacting and turning it so it's nice and cripsy all over. Onions and pancetta cubes are a great addition.

Or try this Luxembourgish version:
https://www.visitluxembourg.com/en/place/localprod...

[Ascayman]

Maccy D's hash browns are more addictive than heroin.

[Cotty]

In America you can buy loose hash browns. I suppose grated potato in a bag frozen that you can shake out as you need it. I watched a recipe for a breakfast casserole (can't locate the original YouTube vid) where they spread loose hash browns in the bottom of a dish. Covered with fried sausage, onions, peppers and mushrooms. Poured over whisked eggs and grated cheese, covered in the fridge overnight and popped in the oven in the morning. I tried it with broken up hash browns we get, but might try again with grated potatoes.

I think it needed more seasoning but was ok

[Cotty]

Then again I often buy hot hash browns at Sainsburys to put on my bacon roll bought from the hot counter. I suppose that is more Dirty Takeaway territory

[RedCarsAnonymous]

silverthorn2151 said:

... slightly warm and slightly damp chipboard. ....

To my palate they're more like off-brand weetabix in warm veg. oil

[Jonny_]

Ascayman said:

Maccy D's hash browns are more addictive than heroin.

With a pot of tomato sauce. Far far nicer than they've any right to be!

[ReaperCushions]

Jonny_ said:

Ascayman said:

Maccy D's hash browns are more addictive than heroin.

With a pot of tomato sauce. Far far nicer than they've any right to be!

I’ve been known to order a breakfast meal and 3 extra on the side (4 total).... one of life’s many pleasures..... along with high cholesterol obvs...

[silverthorn2151]

Now you see there are some responses here that make me think perhaps I'll try again.

And then I picture the hideous greasy slivers of cardboard that form part of a big breakfast and think whoa, down that road lies only indigestion and a nasty taste.

Buying extra.... on the side......! Lunacy of the highest water.

But then 2 sausage and egg McMuffins sound perfect today.

[cbmotorsport]

Potato pave is the thinking mans hash brown. If you do them correctly, they are a thing of joy. Labour intensive but worth it.

[toasty]

McD's hash brown goes straight in the Sausage and Egg Muffin to make the majestic Sausage and Egg Tower Muffin!

All washed down with a Tropicana Orange Juice to make it healthy.

[h0b0]

In the US they sell frozen hash browns that when put in a toaster taste exactly like McDonalds hash browns.

[XJSJohn]

h0b0 said:

In the US they sell frozen hash browns that when put in a toaster taste exactly like McDonalds hash browns.

in the toaster you say ... ... BRB

[h0b0]

XJSJohn said:

in the toaster you say ... ... BRB

My wife thinks it’s a serious fire hazard. I think it’s worth it. I think the packaging even says do not toast. That may have been where I got the idea.

[172]

If making home made hash browns press the grated potato into a sieve to get rid of as much water as possible