Crisp Potato Roast

Ingredients

• 4 lbs. russet potatoes peeled
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 4 shallots peeled and thickly sliced lengthwise
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Coarse salt and ground black pepper
• 8 sprigs thyme

Instructions

1. 1
   Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine butter and oil. Brush the bottom of a round 9-inch baking dish with butter mixture. Using a mandolin, slice potatoes crosswise very thinly.
2. 2
   Arrange potatoes thin sides up in dish slightly fanning out slices as you go. Wedge shallot slices sporadically throughout. Sprinkle pepper flakes over potatoes, season generously with salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and brush with remaining butter mixture. Roast until potatoes are cooked through, with a golden-crisp crust, about 1 hour. Tuck remaining thyme around potatoes and bake for 15 minutes more.