Crash Hot Potatoes

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• Crash Hot Potatoes
  
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• 16 small, round potatoes
• salt
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp fennel or caraway seeds-(optional)
• 1 tbsp thyme or rosemary sprigs (I will use Rosemary)

1. Heat oven to 230 or 250C - yes, hot. Don't peel the potatoes. Just bung them into a pot of salted water, bring to the boil, and simmer for around 15 minutes until they'll take a skewer without too much resistance. They should be just about cooked, without being soft.
2. Drain, and arrange on a lightly oiled baking tray or sheet. Use a potato masher to squash each potato flat, until it is twice its original diameter. (could use bottom of glass)
3. Brush the tops with olive oil, and scatter with sea salt, pepper, fennel seeds and thyme.
4. Bake on the top shelf of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until terminally crisp and golden. Serve hot.

From Confessions of a Pioneer Woman