Otik’s Skillet-Fried Spiced Potatoes

Join me as I make Otik’s Skillet-Fried Spiced Potatoes – Heroes’ Feast: The Official D&D Cookbook for the first time! This is a recipe from Heroes’ Feast: The Official D&D Cookbook by Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, and Michael Witwer and published by Ten Speed Press on October 27, 2020. You can buy a copy here: https://amzn.to/3GMAlXF

Otik’s Skillet-Fried Spiced Potatoes 

This famous side dish, comprising chopped potatoes, served spiced and fried, is derived from the personal recipe of Otik Sandath, proprietor and chef of the Inn of the Last Home. located in a remote Krynn city called Solace in Ansalon. Otik’s personal blend of garlic, paprika, pepper, cayenne, and a sizeable scoop or local salted butter is often emulated but tough to beat; however, the recipe featured below is widely thought to be the closest that one can come to the feeling of sitting atop the famed vallenwood tree tavern with one of his homebrewed dark ales in hand. These potatoes pair well with any braised meats on the menu or with eggs as a day starter.

Serves 4

  • 2 tablespoons neutral-tasting oil, such as vegetable, canola, safflower, or grapeseed
  • 1 large yellow onion. chopped
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 ½ pounds (about 4) Yukon gold potatoes. scrubbed (or peeled if desired), quartered lengthwise, and cut into ¾-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • ½  teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

In a 12- to 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon of the oil until shimmering. Add the onion and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes. Adjust the heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring often, until deep golden and some pieces are starting to brown at the edges, 4 to 6 minutes more. Scrape the onion onto a plate and wipe out the skillet.

Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a large microwave-safe bowl, cover, and microwave until the edges of the potatoes begin to soften, 5 to 7 minutes, shaking the bowl to redistribute the potatoes midway through.

Warm the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the butter in the now-empty skillet over medium-high heat, swirling the pan to combine them. Add the potatoes (leaving behind any liquid accumulated in the bowl) and shake the skillet to coat the potatoes with the fat and evenly distribute them in a single layer, making sure that one side of each piece lies flat on the cooking surface. Cook, undisturbed, until golden brown on the bottom, 6 to 7 minutes. Using a wide spatula, carefully turn the potatoes, taking care not to rip their crusts, and again spread them into a single layer with unbrowned sides lying flat on the cooking surface, and continue cooking, undisturbed, until golden brown on the bottom, about 6 minutes more. Turn the potatoes again and repeat the process until they are tender and

well-browned all over, turning one or two more times and adjusting the heat, if necessary, 6 to 12 minutes more. Add ½ teaspoon salt, pepper to taste, the paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder and stir or toss to distribute the seasonings. Add the onion and stir or toss to distribute. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve hot, sprinkling each serving with the chives.

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