BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?

Subject: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: greg stephens
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 09:53 AM

Well, I find these delicacies curiously addictive, but I live in England, and I only know what you can buy in bags in the freezer bit in supermarkets. And as with many ethnic delicacies I imagine the supermarkets may be missing the point a bit. So can any old American folkie fogey advise as to how to make the 100% authentic hash brown as made by your dear old granny by hand back in the hills?

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:02 AM

Raw poatoes diced fine; dump in a frying pan full of sizzling oil or bacon fat, or butter. Heart-attack country, these. Stir until golden. Season to taste. Some like to add chopped onions, peppers, etc.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bee
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:03 AM

Do you mean frozen hash browns as in the deep fried or baked mashed potato lumps? (shudders...)

I think the attempt was to imitate home fries (sometimes called hash browns), or else actual hash. Failed at either. Home fries are just cold potatos diced or sliced and pan fried. Hash is left over vegetables and meat scraps from a boiled dinner (corned beef or ham), all mashed coarsely and pan fried.

Unless, of course, there is some American hash brown thing I'm missing.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: greg stephens
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:07 AM

Bee: I take it your cold potatoes are pre-cooked? Amos' are raw. Different opinions already, great. Keep these recipes coming. I'll try the most tempting sounding for breakfast tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:11 AM

In my experience "home fries" were made the same way but were sliced in flat segments rather than ribbons. Could just be local peculiarities.

WIkipedia offers:

"Hash browns or hashed browns are a simple potato preparation in which potato pieces are pan-fried after being diced, riced, shredded, or julienned. Although in some cultural contexts, hash browns or hashed browns may refer to any of these cuts of potato, people in some cultural contexts may reserve the term to describe a more specific preparation.

In some parts of the United States, hash browns may refer strictly to riced, pan-fried potatoes, and may be considered a breakfast food, while potatoes diced and pan-fried are a side dish called home fries or country fried potatoes (though many variations of home fries are par-cooked before frying). In some countries diced or chopped onion can be added to improve taste and texture.

A chef may prepare hash browns by forming riced potatoes into patties before frying; however, depending on the liaison (binding agent), such a preparation might constitute a potato pancake. Hash browns that include meats, fruits, or vegetables are widely known simply as hash."

"Home fries are a type of potato dish made by frying diced, shredded, or sliced potatoes that have been par-cooked by boiling, baking, steaming, or microwaving. The potatoes are cooled between the two stages. Thus, they differ from french fries, which are cooked primarily by deep-frying.

The frying is typically done in butter or vegetable oil, and chopped onions, pepper, and other ingredients are typically added.

The consistency depends on the type of potato used. Although various types of white potatoes are the most popular base, sometimes waxy (usually red-skinned) or sweet potatoes are used.

In many countries, Home fries are usually served for breakfast. There are many ways people eat them, for example with ham and eggs, or covered with ketchup. In some locations, home fries are even used as a pizza topping.

Home fries can also be a part of a Full English Breakfast."

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:13 AM

How to make Home Fries


How to Make Hash Browns

A

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: greg stephens
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:13 AM

What does "riced" mean exactly? Making the potato into bits as small as rice grains? If so, how?

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:16 AM

ANother option:

Linda's hash browns - Figure about one potato for each person. Use leftover baked potatoes or (do this ahead of time) wash, pat dry and poke the potato with a fork. For 5 potatoes, microwave for about 7 minutes on high. Remove from microwave and cool potatoes to room temperature. Grate the potatoes all together on a plate with cheese grater, the skins will just fall away leaving mostly the potato. Heat 2 Tablespoons of margarine or oil in skillet on medium heat. Add the grated potatoes to the skillet, smooth evenly in pan. Cook for about 5 minutes each side, flipping once. You will end up with nice, golden brown hash browns, not sticky or dry.

(v) rice (sieve so that it becomes the consistency of rice) "rice the potatoes"

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: *daylia*
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:16 AM

Probably meant "diced", greg.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bee
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:17 AM

Greg, yes, I did mean cold boiled potatos. Amos has a fine overview there.

Here in Atlantic Canada, it was a means of using leftovers, usually for breakfast.

Personally, if you're gonna shred or grate raw potatos for frying, I prefer making them into latkes(sp?), adding an egg, a grated onion, a sprinkle of flour, pan-frying in a cm. of oil (drop large spoonfuls in pan, flatten slightly). Drain and serve hot with sour cream and apple sauce.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bee
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:20 AM

I have a potato ricer. It's something like a giant garlic press: insert cooked potato, squeeze handles, and the potato comes out the little holes in tiny bits.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: *daylia*
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:24 AM

Oops your right, Bee -- this is a 'potato ricer'

and these are supposed to be riced potatoes

looks like fish eggs to me ....

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: greg stephens
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:25 AM

I want one! That sounds like the kind of thing to encourage me to make hash browns in industrial quantities.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Scoville
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:32 AM

Or you can use a cheese grater.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:33 AM

Hash browns are the best served at 2am with a couple of eggs sunny side up, two slices of toast and a cup of coffee - served at any Jersey diner.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:34 AM

Greg's gonna make Hash Browns!
Make 'em by the yard.
Feed 'em to everybody in the town,
Boy, will he be tahred.

Bring 'em in by truck!
Fry 'em in the pool,
Greg never does things half o' the way,
He ain't nobodies fool.

Greg's gonna make hash browns!
Say, what do you think of that?
All of the neighbors will go home full,
And wake up looking fat!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Scoville
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:36 AM

And salsa. Hash browns, eggs, and salsa is a winner.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: GUEST,sinky
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:47 AM

consume vast quantities of hash and then wait

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: open mike
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 11:04 AM

shred raw potatoes...
fry onions and garlic in the pan before you add the shredded potatoes.
stir the whole batch around to mix in the onions and garlic,
then let it fry til it is golden grown and crunchy
turn the whole mass and brown the other side...
the crunchier the better!

you can even pick off the top layer while the bottom is frying and
turn it once again~! yum

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bert
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 11:19 AM

The same way as you make bubble and squeak!

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 11:30 AM

My grandmother who grew up in White House, Tn. in the late 19th and early 20th used the phrase 'hash browns' to refer to a mix of potatoes, onions and smoked ham. Diced fine, but not quite minced. Made into patties approx 6" long and 3" wide. Drop them into an iron skillet in about 1/2" of bacon grease she kept in the fridge. When brown she'd remove them and place them on paper towels to soak up the excess oil. The potatoes were peeled before chopping...I know because that was MY job. They were always served w/scrambled eggs, bacon(crispy),toast and hominy grits(flavored w/salt and butter). Ketchup on the eggs and hash browns. Orange juice and coffee for the grown-ups, chocolate milk for the kids. Salt and pepper to taste. "Y'all come get chew sum breakfast"...

'home fries' referred to quartered and sliced potatoes(about 1/4" thick) w/sliced onions. Cooked in the same frying pan as the bacon, but w/t skins left on and no meat included and not formed into patties. Served w/t same as above, but home fries could be served w/lunch or dinner, but hash browns were reserved for breakfast, usually.

In later years she used a cheese grater to make her hash browns after watching a cook prepare them in a little greasey spoon called 'Victory Lunch' around the corner from her apartment.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 11:52 AM

Don't count too much on Amos in this, he if from San Diego--the fittest city in the US, and hash browns are starch grilled in grease. I had "hash browns" out there once --the potatoes had been roasted with garlic in unfiltered olive oil, and they were served on a bed of mixed greens--


Hash Browns, in the common parlance, are just last night's baked potatoes, sliced up and brought back to life on a very hot griddle--using either a bit of imagination, or a total lack of imagination. Simple food for working people--usually from a diner--

Hash Browns also can be made from shredded raw potatoes, cooked the same, on a very hot griddle.

How do you distinguish between the two? Just eat what they give you...

And Daylia, those were fish eggs--roe, to be precise. With riced scallop, prepared with sake. Not riced potatoes--and certainly nothing a truck driver would eat--

And, before you invest, Greg, the potato ricer is for use with cooked potatoes. If you want to shred raw potatoes, use a cheese shredder sort of thing, or, better and more repeatable, the shredder blade in your food processor.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 12:12 PM

When my family moved to Virginia when I was a young'un, we were surprised to find there was such a thing as "southern" hash browns. They were lumpy and usually had a sauce to them In fact, you can buy something like it today in the frozen food section.

When she was grown my sister always made hash browns (western style)by grating raw potato.

But what I grew up with is a way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. My mother, having a large family, even made extra mashed potatoes the night before.

It sounds quite a bit like the latkes that Bee mentioned.

With the potatoes in the bowl break an egg or two (depending on how much potato) into it, a spoonful or two of flour, salt and lots of pepper. (Eggs are for flavor and texture, the flour is used as a binder) Stir it up, dump it onto a greased hot griddle and let it sizzle. As Amos (and others) said, turn it only once. You want it crunchy and golden on the outside but tender and moist on the inside.

Serve with apple sauce.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 12:13 PM

I agree with M.Ted, when I was a kid hash brown potatoes were made of the baked potatoes not eaten the day before. Sometimes they were made with boiled potatoes that were from the day before. I have an antique ricer that I use sometimes for making hash browns from boiled potatoes. Baked are already so tender they can be broken up with a fork.

My hash brown favorites don't have onion, they're simply cooked in good oil and are seasoned with a generous amount of ground black pepper and a little salt. The finished cooked consistency is of individual potato fragments, not one of these brick-like patties one sees from fast food restaurants.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: GUEST,WYS with unbaked cookies
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 12:20 PM

Greg Stephens,

If you could give a good description of what you had, most of us can tell you the onr or two ways it should be made, but there are a zillion possible ways to make the many varieties sometimes known (rightly or wrongly) as hash browns. Kinda like "what is folk music" and "how to play it" can get a little messy unless you look at the detail level closely. Zoom me in, Scotty!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 12:34 PM

Coarse grated raw potatoes, and I use olive oil- but that is NOT traditional. Should be bacon fat.

If the potatoes are already cooked, then one would rice them.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 12:36 PM

HEAVENLY HASH BROWNIES AND ICING   

1 c. butter, softened
2 c. sugar
4 tbsp. cocoa
4 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 c. flour
1 c. chopped pecans
7 oz. jar marshmallow creme

Cream together butter, sugar and cocoa. Add eggs, one at a time, beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla. Mix in flour and beat until just blended. Mix in chopped pecans.
Pour into greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Warm jar of marshmallow creme in hot water. Remove brownies from oven and immediately spread warmed marshmallow creme over top. Cool. Ice with following icing.


HEAVENLY HASH ICING:

4 1/4 c. powdered sugar
6 tbsp. soft butter
4 1/2 tbsp. cocoa
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Milk

Sift together sugar and cocoa. Cream butter well and add sugar mixture and vanilla. Add enough milk to make spreading consistency. Using a warm spatula, spread over top of cream. Place in refrigerator until cool. Can be frozen.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 12:37 PM

That's from the www. Eat ten of them and do NOT operate heavy equipment like K-tel toys or Lego sets.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 12:41 PM

Damn. Hash browns, not hash BROWnies. Sorry.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 12:44 PM

the ones on sale in England are pretty crap. so are the frozen bubble and squeak.

i always used to think my Dad made the worse bubble and squeak in the western hemisphere - till I tried Aunt Betsies.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 01:18 PM

Bruce,

Your hash brownie recipe seem to be missing an ingredient.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: greg stephens
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 01:55 PM

Well, I'm going to give it a whirl. I've got the grater, I've got the spuds and onions, and I've got the bacon fat(no trendy olive oil for this one, no sir).

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 01:57 PM

SRS,

LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:02 PM

lol, Peace.

Actually, there are many recipes for potaot-based candies.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Deckman
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:31 PM

Another REALLY GOOD way to cut up the baked potatoe for french fries is the following:

Take your 15 bar autoharp and prop it up vertical on the kitchen counter;
Place a shallow dish under it;
From a distance of about eleven feet, throw the potatoes as hard as possible at your autoharp;
Pick it up off the floor, move closer to the autoharp, throw it again, and try to hit the autoharp.

After you cook and eat what remains of your potatoe, clean your autoharp. Don'r trying to tune it ... they can't be tuned anyway! I hope this helps! Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:40 PM

I am shocked! I've never heard of using a leftover baked potato to make hash browns.   No self-respecting cook or diner in the Northeast would try to use a already baked potato!!!!   Raw, raw, raw. Add those onions and perhaps some cut up green pepper. Stay away from eggs and flour, this isn't a potato pancake. Cook them in butter in a fry pan. Nothing fancy. Keep the damn sauce out of it! This isn't a swanky gourmet dish!   Douse them with some ketchup perhaps. Finest kind!

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: autolycus
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:47 PM

Are hash browns an Anglo dish by another name? If do,what's the anglo name.

   Something above resembles latkes.

   As I've had a mild heart attack already,I'll otherwise pass.






      I.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: MMario
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:57 PM

hash browns have about the similarity to latkes that ,,,hmmmm, crepes have to blini;flapjacks,griddle cakes.

They are related, made primarily with the same ingredients - and are completly different.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Scoville
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:57 PM

And no self-respecting Southern cook would waste day-old potatoes.

Green pepper?? That's a new one to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:59 PM

You are a nice man, Ron, but wrong, wrong, wrong. Maybe you know something about folk music, but you've got a lot to learn about potatoes;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: MMario
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:09 PM

In my neck o' the woods when growing up if they had green peppers in them they were "potatoes O'Brien"; I haven't the foggiest idea why,

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: greg stephens
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:13 PM

In England we do all sorts of stuff with cold cooked potoatoes the next day, but this grated raw and then fried approach sounds the business to me, this is what I'm going to try

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:14 PM

Good god. Ron O jarred me awake. These, indeed, are not potato pancakes. I work too much with computers and I have picked up a glitch or two.

Hash browns: Grate raw potato, rinse, pat excess water out, dump onto a hot griddle, sizzle until crisp and golden on the edges, turn over (once) and do it again.

In other words, do as was told above. Heartfelt apologies.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:38 PM

"but you've got a lot to learn about potatoes;-) "

If you've seen me in profile recently, you will understand that I know a LOT about potatoes!!!!   :)

In all seriousness, I am always fascinated by regional differences. Of course I have heard about cheap southeners, I mean our friends down south using old, oops - leftover potatoes.    I like to make potato salad out of them myself.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:39 PM

damn html! Screwed up my joke! Oh well.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:42 PM

not that it was that funny but, it should have looked like this -

In all seriousness, I am always fascinated by regional differences. Of course I have heard about cheap southeners, I mean our friends down south using old, oops - leftover potatoes. I like to make potato salad out of them myself


I need more practice!

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Scoville
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 04:00 PM

We put them in potato salad, too. We mash them. I've used them to bind meatloaf. We make them into potato candy (this seems to be pretty much all over the U.S., though). We fry them in various ways (Hell, we fry everything. We've even discovered a way to fry Coke).

There are lots of Germans, Czechs, etc. in parts of Texas and they really go potato-crazy there.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 04:08 PM

well, as can be seen, there are various methods. I like the potatoes shredded, but not 'riced' (there are food graters that will give you various 'fineness' of final product)

Then, I like to press the shredded potatoes into the pan of oil until they are a relatively thin (3/4 in. or less) layer, cut the round layer into 4 pie shaped segments, and fry them until they can be turned without falling apart. I like them pretty well browned on the outside, but still tender in the center. This is just a personal thing, I will eat them even if stirred so that there is a pan full of small potato chunks...I just prefer the patty style.

My big difference is that, once cooked...(preferably with spicy sausage patties on the side)..I like to eat them with pancake/waffle syrup and a good dose of black pepper! (very little or no onion for me)...

so....I guess you have a nice batch of possible recipes, greg! Happy experimenting!

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 04:16 PM

Another variation, which is also a diner staple - home fries. It is basically hash browns but cut as chunks of potato instead of shredded. I do think that for this recipe the potato is cooked first.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 04:24 PM

Don't blame the potatoes, Ron--on their own they have very little fat, low calories(I cup of diced potato has about 60 calories, on average) lots of protein and vitamins. It's the butter and sour cream that does us in;-)

Really, though, it is our sedentary life style. I used to live on the fringes of the Dutch Country, and those farmers eat more starch and a fat than you'd believe--However, they are not fat themselves. They do a lot of work, and a lot of walking.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bee
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 05:34 PM

Now let us have a moment of grate-ful silence while we fervently give thanks to the clever South Americans who domesticated the potato so many centuries ago. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 06:21 PM

I am not sure if they should be called "South Americans"--it is true that the potato was probably originally cultivated in what is now Chile, but it could have happened somewhere between 4,000 and 7.000 years ago--well before any one had come up with the idea of America--

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: tarheel
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 07:10 PM

when i was a kid growing up in the south(winston-salem,n.c.) there were restaurants in and around the state called,"toddle houses"!
this was before the fast food places ,but a good breakfast could be had in a short time at these little decorated places...
though they served the typlical bacon,eggs,toast,jelly,etc.,they also made HASH BROWNS!
most of us had never heard of them,seen them, or even tasted them at that time in my life!
but once you tasted them,you never, ever wanted another breakfast without HASH BROWNS from the TODDLE HOUSE ...
they were absolutely terrific!
the taste was wonderful and they made your entire breakfast a real meal that you always remembered each time you eat at one of these neat little restaurants!
there are a few places around here now that USE to be TODDLE HOUSES,but they have been turned into a donut shops or a bagel shoppe or a lunch counter of somekind!
HASH BROWNS,HASH BROWNS!!!MY KINGDOM FOR A PLATE FULL OF HASH BROWNS!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 07:16 PM

My Granny didn't make hash browns but if she did I would tell her to oil up a skillet cut up some sweet onions & some Idahos toss them in with some Assofeta (sp?) & Gran Marsela (sp?), both Indian spices & some paprika & cook them up nice an' brown & tender. Can't beat them.

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 07:31 PM

I peel/pare raw white potatoes. Shred not to finely. WASH well under cold running water and squeeze the water out til most of the starch is removed. This keeps them from getting soggy.

Put about 3/4" of grease, oil, whatever in a skillet. Check for readyness by flipping a bit of water in it. If it sizzles it's hot enough. Dump in potatoes, stir well. Let brown on the bottom, stir/turn. Contiue till most of the potatoes are browned, and all are fork tender.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: bobad
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 07:38 PM

Barry, that would be asafoetida and garam masala, in case someone wants to try your recipe.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 07:43 PM

I gather hash browns and hash brownies make use of a significantly different definition of hash.

Rather like mincemeat and minced meat. It is advisable not to pour custard on minced meat pies, but it's delicious with mincemeat pies.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 08:56 PM

An old long time Aussie favourite gradually being swamped out of the local market by the Yank greaseballs (especially the Macca's garbage!) called 'hash browns' is 'Potato Scallops'.

Take large peeled potatoes - about the size of you hand opened out flat - and cut 1/8 - 1/4 inch thick slices. These are dipped in thin batter (nastier ones are dipped in about a half inch thick coating of thick batter!) not unlike a 'beer based tempura' style and deep fried.

'Properly done' they are much lower in grease than 'hash browns'.

Various recipes exist, including various 'double cooking' techniques involving parboiling as a first step, or 'double deep frying' - they must be served warm, so they can be part cooked, then kept chilled.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 09:57 PM

Hash browns are supposed to be crunchy; home fries don't have to be and usually aren't. Wikipedia makes a good point about the fine line between the riced patty hash browns and potato pancakes... but hash browns need salt and butter, while potato pancakes need salt and apple sauce.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Dickey
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:31 PM

Well here is something I do well. My kind of hash browns have onions.

I slice and dice a few ounces or 1/4 cup of sweet onions, Vidalia if available, and put them in a large Teflon coated frying pan with no oil or fat. I turn the heat wide open and more or less try to burn the onions while stirring so they don't stick. The sugar in the juice of the onions sticks to the bottom of the pan and caramelizes. When the onions get soft with burnt looking spots on them I pour in about 1/2 cup of water. This dissolves the caramelized onion juice on the bottom of the pan.

Then I had a cup or so of diced potatoes. I like to boil them half done first. Raw ones take forever to cook and fully cooked ones fall apart. Then I pour in an ounce or so of good light olive oil and some McCormick steak seasoning containing onion powder, garlic power, black pepper, paprika, salt and a few other minor spices. Simple salt and pepper will work.

When the water boils away it leaves the potatoes brown and soft. Continue to fry them until they are crispy and slightly blackened on the corners.

Now fry up your eggs & bacon, bake a pan of cornbread and you are ready for breakfast.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: leeneia
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:34 PM

A ricer is a device with holes, through which one squeezes something gooshy in order to make strands of it.

picture of a ricer:

http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-26981-Potato-Ricer/dp/images/B00004OCJQ

My husband's Czech grandfather used a ricer to make potato dumplings.

One might make hash browns by ricing boiled, peeled potatoes straight into hot fat. Might solve the wet potato problem = see next paragraph.

My aunt makes hash browns by shredding potatoes and frying them. Trouble is, shredded potatoes have a tendency to become wet. Perhaps it is a good idea to use newly-purchased potatoes, I'm not sure.

Good luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: JennieG
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 03:21 AM

My mother used to make something she called "mock duck" - I think it was from a World War II austerity cookbook, whatever it was we loved it anyway.

Raw potatoes, grated, mixed with beaten egg and fried in just a tiny bit of butter, turned over so they were crispy on both sides.....sounds like what you folks call hash browns to me.....!

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 03:49 AM

My guess is that the USA and other parts of the world got their variations from the original Swiss Rosti. The Internet has squillions of recipes for Rosti, so I would recommend you go there. A staple at my house.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 04:21 AM

"Barry, that would be asafoetida and garam masala, in case someone wants to try your recipe"

Yes it would be Bobad, thanks for correcting the misspelling, I probably say it wrong too.

I forgot, salt & pepper to taste.

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 05:09 AM

This sounds really brilliant - the way some of you describe it.

The only ones I've ever tasted have been in Sainsbury's cafe and the like , and they have been...well horrible, sort of non-food. I don't know if anybody would concur with this.

I'm determined to have a go today. Just thinking about it - how do you make sure that the onion and potato are cooked inside the hash brown - it would be horrble to start eating and and hit raw veg.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 06:06 AM

Actually American Hash Browns seem pretty close to Roshti.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 06:09 AM

"how do you make sure that the onion and potato are cooked inside"

... if it's black on the outside, it might be ok inside...

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 10:36 AM

Rosti is/are(?) shaped into a cake, and served (for breakfast, at least) as the main event--hash browns are potato slices, cubes, or shreds, cooked loose on the griddle, served as a side dish--

WLD--You can tell that they are done by the way they look--shredded potatoes are opaque when done--also golden brown in spots. The trick is really in getting and keeping the griddle, grill, or frying pan hot enough--

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: *daylia*
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 11:13 AM

Wow M Ted, are you a chef AND a guitar teacher? I'm impressed -- you could tell there's sake in those fish eggs oops i mean roe?!

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 11:15 AM

I have the same fear as WLD...you've got this brown or black mass in your pan, what's it going to be like in the middle if you started with raw potatoes? Having no experience of this, some time hints or more accurate testing methods might be good.
This is all very thrilling, it's going to produce something a lot better than a bag of hash browns from Iceland, that's for sure(Iceland, by the way, is a frozen food shop chain in England, in this case, not a country with geysirs and stuff).

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 12:51 PM

I cook, Daylia--a must if you work with musicians, since they are always starving. However, I simply read the name of the .jpg file, which is ricedscallopsakeroetofucrackersquashjuic.jpg--or "riced scallop sake roe tofu cracker squash juic .jpg"

Greg--Don't fuss too much about the cooking process--just try it! If worse comes to worse, potatoes are cheap, so just toss the first batch in the trash and try again til you get it the way you like it--

I will extend a bit of explanation on the underlying theory--the potatoes are shredded(or sliced or cubed, or whatever) so that they have low mass, meaning that the individual shreds will cook through quickly when applied to the griddle/grill/pan--

My hint is to use the most accurate testing method of all--taste the potato shreds all through the cooking process(if you do this, you won't have to throw anything out)--

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: leeneia
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 12:59 PM

In all my born days I have never been served hash browns with onions in them. If you must combine them, saute the onions first. Then no worries about - are they cooked?

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: *daylia*
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 01:42 PM

Gotcha, M Ted. I figured the URL must apply to more than one file, cuz that pic looks more like flattened raw hamburger with scrambled-eggs-a-la-fromage-et-fish-eyes.

To me.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Penny S.
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 05:36 PM

Modern caffs serving so called English breakfasts include hash browns of the frozen cake variety instead of properly prepared fried mashed potato, or bubble and squeak, or sauteed sliced waxy potatoes.l And I guessed there was something missing in the preparation, too. I think I'm going to have some fun now.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 05:53 PM

'In all my born days I have never been served hash browns with onions in them'

come round my place tomorrow

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Peace
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 06:10 PM

I don't really care for potatoes unless they are deep fried, mashed, baked, roasted, pan fried or boiled. Then they're OK.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 07:41 PM

Then you might like 'potato scallops'...

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Peace
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 07:43 PM

Scalloped potatoes are good, too. (But NO cheese.)

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 07:50 PM

Sorry, Greg, but yer old drenkin' buddy has been way too busy fir much pudder time recently but...

... firget the taters when ever fresh possum is availbale...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 08:13 PM

If the potatoes are shredded..(½ the thickness of a pencil or thinner), and pressed into a patty, they will be cooked just fine when they are brown on the outside. If they are in small chunks, they must be stirred a bit, and kept 'mostly' to a single layer in order to brown/cook evenly. It's really pretty obvious even the first time. Just keep the oil hot and don't leave the pan unattended very long.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 10:32 PM

"In all my born days I have never been served hash browns with onions in them. If you must combine them, saute the onions first. Then no worries about - are they cooked?"

You haven't lived yet!!!!!!!   You must try them with onions.

Why worry about if they are cooked? Raw onion tastes fine!   Seriously, they will cook at the same time as the potato. If you saute them first they might burn.

I went through several cook books, and I was surprised to see all the recipes I found said to boil the potatoes first. It has been awhile since I made them, but I thought I used raw. Live and learn.

Also, all the recipes mentioned adding onion. Shred the potato, shred the onion, mix them up with a little salt and pepper, form into patties or just cook it loose.

No one has mentioned another favorite - corned beef hash! Chop up equal portions of cooked corned beef potato, mix in some onion and fry away. Breakfast of champions!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Peace
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 10:35 PM

In a pinch, you can omit the corned beef and potatoes. Add milk when the onions have cooked and bingo, ya got a really good cream of onion soup.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 04:55 AM

The potatoes should be used raw, not part cooked - it's the starch that holds the whole fragile mess together.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:04 AM

Robin--I was looking up Rosti and discovered that, even in peaceful Switzerland, battle lines are drawn over whether the potatoes are raw or cooked (boiled) when they are shredded.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:15 AM

"The potatoes should be used raw, not part cooked - it's the starch that holds the whole fragile mess together."

That is what I was thinking too, except that hash browns are not always served together - it is served as a "fragile mess"!   Also, there is probably enough starch remaining in the cooked potato to hold it together as well.   

I guess that once again, this shows the various regional differences. No one style or method is "correct" or "wrong".

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Sorcha
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:21 AM

No no no. Raw potatoes, and rinse the starch OFF for just plain hash browns. If you want a gooey mess that won't fry up crisp, leave the starch on. For patties, OK. Gooey in the middle patties. Rinsed potato and add an egg for nice patties.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:28 AM

Egg, in hash browns????

The coarse grated ( or chopped) raw potatoes in bacon fat was what I was taught as "correct" ( no need for salt, as it gets enough from the fat). I use olive oil for health reasons.

A local ( Maryland) diner serves lumps of pre-boiled, then fried potatoes as hash browns. I opt for grits ( even instant!) when they have them.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:10 AM

Ron--Forgive Foolestroupe--he's never had real hash browns, so he's thinking about Rosti and speculating from there--and, as beardedbruce points out, not all the hash browns you get are good--

As to BB's comment about the bacon fat--seems like it wasn't that long ago that there was a can of bacon fat sitting on every kitchen counter--used for cooking everything. Replace by Crisco, the all vegetable shortening, which was supposed to be a healthier alternative--

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: MMario
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:14 AM

Crisco - of course, since then has been replaced by olive oil and /or other oils with less hydrogenization then crisco.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 03:11 PM

Like Canola oil--

Hydrogenation is the process that turns oil, in the case of Crisco, Cottonseed Oil, into that white, lard-like substance. The science of Hydrogenation science was actually developed by Proctor and Gamble to turn oil into a solid fat material that could be used to make soap--it then occurred to someone that it looked like lard, so why not use it as lard? The promotion was s "a healthier alternative to cooking with animal fats. . . and more economical than butter."

The catch though, was that hydrogenated fats(including the now well known Trans Fats) turned out to me incredibly unhealthy, though it took us more than fifty years to figure it out--

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Sorcha
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 03:28 PM

Not egg in hash browns...egg in potato patties to hold them together.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 03:51 PM

Right!

I have had a lot to drink, I am about to start,


The onions are in.

I am tempted by the thought of the egg.

If you have anything to add - now is the time!

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 05:22 PM

First problem - they were lot more watery than I expected. so they didn't make very good little patties.

Anyway the mixture -2 spanish onions , 2 eggs, 89p worth of spuds are frying away in a mass in the wok.

I think the black tip was the good one!

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 05:26 PM

tsk!, Ron..."You haven't lived yet!!!!!!!   You must try them with onions."

ummm...some of us really do not care much for onions. We are not depraved, deluded or uneducated...*grin*...we just don't care much for onions in most things.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 06:46 PM

Cook the hashbrowns and try them, sometime, with some shredded sharp cheddar cheese melted on top. Or, if you don't like cheese on things, without it.

Potato pancakes will be served with sour cream and applesauce, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Sorcha
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 07:36 PM

WLD, did you rinse the shreds in cold water and then squeeze it out? IMO, that is critical if you want crispy hash browns. For those, do NOT add the egg. If you don't rinse the starch off the shreds, they will stick together and turn into a gooey mass.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 08:27 PM

The only stuff we get in Oz called 'Hash Browns' are those flat 1/2 inch thick oval patties (with lots of holes to hold fat!) you get in packs frozen in the supermarket (same things thawed in delis!) that look (and taste) remarkably like the deadly things Macca's server...

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:09 PM

What were you trying to fix, WLD?

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: dianavan
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 12:56 AM

Sorcha has it right except for the quantity of oil. You don't need 3/4" of oil!

Its easy. You don't even have to peel the potatoes. Idahos work best. Grate them into a bowl, salt, add water to cover. The salt prevents them from turning gray and the water rinses away the starch.

Drain the water and spoon them into a hot, oiled frying pan forming patties (easier to flip). Use only enough oil to cover the bottom of the frying pan. Bacon grease works well. Make sure the pan is hot!

After adding the potatoes, use the spatuala to shape them into patties. Reduce heat to medium and fry until they are golden brown on the bottom. Give em a flip and brown the other side. Do not cover with a lid.

Serve with ketchup and an egg on the side. These hash browns are also great with beans! We like them with a dollop of yogurt and some alfalfa sprouts. Also good with applesauce.

These are a staple in my house. Very versatile and super yummy.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: dianavan
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 12:59 AM

btw - If you add onion, an egg and flour to the potatoes before cooking, they are called latkes. Actually, I think hashbrowns are just a simplified latke.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Sorcha
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 01:07 AM

Well, damn. The 3/4" was just a guess. If you don't add enough oil they will stick, and my guess was for loose shreds not patties. Latkes have nutmeg in, don't you be putting no nutmeg in hash browns tho! LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 01:44 AM

We're getting closer to rostis all the time, I see...

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 02:27 AM

As you predicted the gooey mix - however, I'll try again.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 11:20 AM

Next time, WLD, don't use the wok, use a skillet, or even an electric fry pan--you could have done hash browns in the wok, but, when you throw eggs in, you are going for potato latkes, which are pancake sorts of things, and won't do well in a wok--

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 12:39 PM

What I thought I might do is, microwave the mix for a bit - drive some of the moisture out, and make it more malleable.

Also it was a bit bland - even with the onion. Maybe some garlic, or curry powder, stock cube - something like that.

These are just thoughts I'm floating.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 12:49 PM

The nice thing about cooking is you can do whatever you like. As Emeril often says, the food police won't come after you!

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: bobad
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 01:00 PM

WLD If you are shredding your potatoes try soaking in cold water for a bit then pat dry, this will get rid of the excess starch which makes them glooey.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: dianavan
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 01:50 PM

Forget the microwave!

What makes hashbrowns (or latkes) so wonderful is the simplicity and the traditional sizzle. Do not ruin them by subjecting them to the microwave. Just give the shredded potatoes a good rinse in cold water. Pat them dry if you wish but a colander also works well.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 03:46 PM

I just made up a batch of the shredded potato variety--on my George Forman grill, yet, so it was ridiculously easy--

This is what I did--ten minutes from start to finish:

Shredded two large Yukon Gold Potatoes in the food processor(use a cheese shredder if you haven't got one)

Put the shredded potatoes in a bowl and squeezed all the moisture out (you can salt first, but it isn't really necessary)

Dump the liquid out, take the potatoes out, squeeze again, then put the shredded and dry potatoes back in the dry bowl

sprinkle olive oil over the potatoes and mix in(like you dress a salad)

Heat the GF grill to 425°F--then run a pat of butter over the top and bottom grills(this helps browning)

spread the shredded potatoes evenly over the grill and put the lid down--let it cook for 7-8 minutes

Open the grill and you'll have one big, steaming, golden "hash brown" that you can lift lift off, sprinkle with salt, pepper (and, as I did, a little dill) and serve.


If you do it on a griddle or in a skillet/fry pan, you'll have to flip it over after four or five minutes, don't do it too soon, or it will fall apart.

The most important part is to get as much moisture squeezed out as possible, before cooking.
Microwaving is not necessary.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: dianavan
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 11:31 PM

Sounds delicious.

I grew up with the can of bacon grease next to the stove but my mom switched to Crisco. I then switched to Safflower oil but now I'm back to bacon fat. I don't use it often so I figure - everything in moderation is O.K.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Apr 07 - 12:33 PM

I'm gonna stop by for hash browns at dianavan's! She has it down to the basics....including how to make patties, so they are easier to control.

(yes...¾" of oil IS excessive. All you need is enough to be absorbed, so that after turning, very little oil is left in the pan. If done in a non-stick pan, the amount can be reduced for those who need to watch oil intake.)

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Alice
Date: 01 Apr 07 - 01:01 PM

I have my mom's potato ricer and I use it to make riced potatoes instead of mashed. Yes, it is similar to a very large garlic press, with a
basket pierced all over with holes so when you put the steaming hot cooked potato in, you can press down and the potato goes through the holes
which are about the width of a grain of rice.
I've NEVER heard of riced potatoes to make hash browns!

In Montana, they are called hash browns, hash brown potatoes, or hashed brown potatoes.
You can use either raw or cooked leftover whole potatoes.
Usually grated, but sometimes finely cubed, they are cooked in a shallow frypan or on a griddle,
turned over to brown on both sides. ONLY potato, no other ingredients, they are not deep fried (yuk)
but fried in only enough oil to brown them and not stick to the pan. A non-stick pan does help.
I actually don't mind using the shredded frozen hash browns from the store.

Best hash browns are from a diner griddle with fried eggs, after returning from a camping trip
where you've hiked miles up a mountain and down, exhausted and ready for a greasy spoon meal.

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Apr 07 - 01:44 PM

It occurred to me - could you use a cafetierre to squeeze out the moisture?

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: bobad
Date: 01 Apr 07 - 01:47 PM

You can spread the potatoes on a tea towel, roll up and wring, this works well.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bee
Date: 01 Apr 07 - 03:30 PM

I've always found simply draining off the liquid that naturally oozes out of the bowl of grated potatos removes enough moisture, for making latkes, anyway. They spit in the skillet, but are delicate in texture. I've had latkes I didn't like because they seemed 'solid' and dry, maybe too much moisture removed.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: bobad
Date: 01 Apr 07 - 03:37 PM

This is for hash browns, Bee, latkes are a different kettle of potatoes.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 01 Apr 07 - 04:00 PM

The liquid just drips out of the shredded potatoes, you just have to get rid of it. And BillD, my way of making the hash browns is faster and easier than any other way mentioned so far--the only way I can think of that's faster is the way they do it in cartoons: by throwing the potatoes into a fan with a griddle on the other side--

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 01 Apr 07 - 05:23 PM

I boil the paotatoes just a little so they're not terribly hard I cut them into slices or cubes then I cut up onion.I fry this in bacon fat for the flavor until they're brown. A cast iron skillet works best by the way. Nothing like them if they comeo ut right. Neil

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Frivolous Sal
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 04:36 AM

I am in the Pacific Northwest, but have traveled a bit, and am VERY serioua about my hash browns. I am of the school that potatoes should be parcooked for no-fail hashbrowns. (Spouse prefers country fries, slices or chunks of potato, cooked or not, fried with or without onions, green pepper, ham, or bacon.) I insist, after trying all types, on baked russets as my base potato. Raw lacks something, microwaved ones end up mealy, and boiled ones are just not as satisfactory. I grate my potatoes, with a slightly coarse grate. Riced potatoes are too fine for my palate. When I grate them, the skin removes itself in the process, so I have grated baked potatoes. I start them with about 1 T of butter for 2-3 servings. It browns and crisps well, and adds to the flavor. If I need a little more oil, because, perhaps, the cast iron wasn't well seasoned, I use vegetable oil (usually olive, but suit your preference) rather than more butter, to lower the fat content. Potatoes, if allowed, will soak up grease. Don't allow them to. The perfect hash brown is probably fried crisp on one side, then the other, and left soft in the center. I have been known, however, to turn them more than once. I usually turn them as a unit, rather than individually.
When the mood suits, I add onion. I use raw, finely chopped onion, and, by the time the potatoes suit my requirements, the onions are done. Occasionally, they are served with melted cheese over the top. The cheese has to be grated first, and a good quality cheddar, or it will not melt properly. Serve with egges, over easy, and toast. It is very easy to end up with a grey mess if you start with raw potato. The secret of the potatoes in a bag is just that they are par-cooked. They are not baked, therefore not wonderful.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 09:51 AM

The grey mess is because you left the skins on. Peel them first unless you don't care about color.
I was surprised that it took so long for WLD to make the comment about garlic. Garlic is the staff of life and goes well with everything, including ice cream. Good for the heart and for keeping the angel of death away.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: M.Ted
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 03:39 PM

Mehitabel has an important point, and that is that the kind of potato that you use has a significant effect on the outcome--different potatoes must be treated differently--

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: Bee
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 05:18 PM

Now surely we've thoroughly contemplated the hash-browned potato: let us move on one short step - how do you like your fishcakes?

Mine include flaked fish (soaked cooked salt cod, or fresh cod or haddock), finely chopped onions, mashed cooked potatos, and must be thoroughly browned and crunchy both sides. And served with Tomato chow.

Subject: RE: BS: Hi Americans, how make hash browns?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 05:21 PM

Raw potatoes make latkes, never hash browns. Peel or no peel, if you shred the potatoes and let them turn brown, the brown will wash off in a sink or bowl of cold water, and lifted out and squeezed dry before adding other ingredients, they will be sparkley white and lovely. Big fat idaho/russet best for these.

Leftover baked potatoes make hash browns. Anything goes, the more onions the better. I wait 'til they are crispy and then add some raw eggs to scramble in, some american cheese on top, then a lid so the whole mess melts together. Add Texas Pete and you've got the most satisfying meal anywhere ; )

Ne'er the twain shall meet. But both lovely crispy fatty yummy things.

Dani