Potato skins with spiced herb mayonnaise

Serves 2-4

Serve the potato skins with the mayonnaise (Jason Lowe)

When I'm making mash I first cook the potatoes in their skins (the flavour is earthier as the skins retain flavour). After scooping out the flesh for the mash, I leaving a little potato on the skins so that they don't end up too thin, and reserve them for a delicious snack. They're perfect popped in the deep-fryer and served with this spiced-up mayonnaise.

The cooked skins from 4-6 large baking potatoes
Vegetable or corn oil for deep frying
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the mayonnaise

3-4 tbsp good quality or homemade mayonnaise
1tbsp chopped green herbs such as chives, parsley, chervil
1 medium red chilli, finely chopped

Preheat about 8cm of oil to 160-180C in a large thick-bottomed saucepan or electric deep-fat fryer.

Meanwhile, mix all of the ingredients together for the mayonnaise and season. Cook the potato skins in the hot fat for 3-4 minutes until crisp, turning them occasionally.

Remove from the fat and drain on some kitchen paper. Serve with the mayonnaise.