Crispy Hash Browns {Diner-Style!}

Peel and grate the potatoes: Peel the potatoes and grate them using the large holes of a box grater. Elise Bauer Squeeze out the moisture: Squeeze out as much moisture as you can from the grated potatoes. An easy way do this with a potato ricer (or an orange or lemon press), using it much like you would a garlic press, except you don't force the potatoes through the ricer. You just press out the excess moisture. Work in batches and only fill the ricer half-way with the raw grated potatoes. If you don't have a ricer, wrap the raw grated potatoes in a clean kitchen tea-towel and squeeze it until you have squeezed out as much moisture as you can. Work in batches to make it more manageable. Note that the potatoes can sometimes stain a cloth towel, so use one that you don't mind showing a bit of wear. You can also use sturdy paper towels to squeeze out the moisture, though they don't work as well as cloth or a ricer. Elise Bauer Elise Bauer Elise Bauer Elise Bauer Cook the hash browns: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan on medium-high heat. When the oil heats up to the point of shimmering, but not smoking, add the grated potatoes, spreading them out evenly along the bottom of the pan. The potatoes should not be too thick in any one place—about 1/4 to a 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on the potatoes. Elise Bauer Flip the hash browns: After a few minutes, lift up one edge of the potatoes and see how done they are. If they have fried to a golden brown, they are ready to flip. Use a large metal spatula (or two spatulas) to flip the potatoes over all at once, or divide the large potato cake into halves or quarters and flip. Continue to cook until they are golden brown on the bottom. Elise Bauer Elise Bauer Serve: Use a metal spatula to cut into quarters and serve.