Potatoes From Hell

[Pete Thomas]

• 4 medium size potatoes
• Cayenne or chilli pepper
• 1/3 cup olive oil (extra virgin if possible)

• Slice the potatoes into slices about 1/4 inch thick.
• Boil some water in a pan.
• Put the potatoes in for 5 minutes.
• Drain them and put them in a frying pan with the olive oil.
• Sprinkle the cayenne pepper on the potatoes and fry, turning occasionally and resprinkling.

This will serve 2 - 4 people as a side dish or a snack.

Eat the potatoes and decide to maybe not put so much cayenne on them next time. You will soon work out the exact size/number/thickness of potato to suit your frying pan: it’s best if they are about one layer deep for overall cooking. Those big old black iron pans are the best. Don’t listen to people who say you shouldn’t fry with extra virgin olive oil. Just make sure it does not get too hot and smoky.

 

[jonf]

My version is

Cut potatoes into wedges. Boil for five minutes. In a bowl put in a good glug of olive oil, some crushed sea salt, dried herbs and a half a teaspoon or so of hot smoked paprika. Chuck in the potatoes and mix, using your hands. Swear like a docker, as they're still hot. Get a spoon and stir. Get a baking sheet and cover with two layers of aluminium foil. Brush lightly with oil. Tip the lot onto the foil covered baking sheet. Bung in the oven (hot) until they look cooked. Put in a bowl. Chuck away the foil, revealing a clean baking sheet that needs no washing up. Congratulate yourself smugly on this master stroke, pour a glass of wine and eat.

 

[jadoube]

And I'd suggest adding some unhealthy protein in the form of grated cheese on the top about 3 minutes before its done - or shove under a grill at the end.