crispy potato roast

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons salted or unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes (optional)(I used
• , which is milder and can therefore be used more generously)
• 4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled (smaller diameter potatoes are great, if you can find them)
• 4 shallots, peeled
• 8 sprigs thyme
• Garnishes (optional): Bits of goat cheese, crumbles of bacon and/or bits of crisped pancetta