Crispy Hash Browns Recipe (Diner-Style)
Servings: 4

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound Russet baking potatoes
Salt and pepper

Peel and grate the potatoes:
Peel the potatoes and grate them using the large holes of a box grater.

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 like you would a garlic press but without forcing the potatoes through it completely. You just want to 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 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.

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.

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.

Serve:
Use a metal spatula to cut into quarters and serve.