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Colombian Potato Side

Serves 4 to 6 Side vegetarian, Sides

Colombian Potato Side

Colombian Potato Side is a staple at home tables, lovingly embraced for its straightforward yet satisfying nature. In Colombia, where family meals are a cherished daily tradition, this side dish finds its place next to hearty mains, often appearing at Sunday lunches or during casual weeknight dinners. It’s a dish that reflects the Colombian approach to cooking—simple, unfussy, and designed for sharing.

Expect a plate of potatoes that are delightfully crispy on the outside, tender within, and kissed with the warmth of paprika. The generous use of oil ensures each piece is golden and flavorful, while salt and pepper bring balance. It's a dish that needs no flourish, just a good appetite and perhaps a story or two to share around the table.

Ingredients

  • 1 kgpotatoes
  • 80 mloil
  • 1 tsppaprika
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Peel 1 kg of potatoes and cut them into even-sized cubes, about 2 cm each. This ensures they cook uniformly and absorb flavors evenly.
  2. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat 80 ml of oil over medium heat. The oil should shimmer slightly, indicating it's hot enough to start cooking.
  3. Add 1 finely chopped onion to the skillet. Sauté the onion, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. This step builds the base flavor for the dish.
  4. Add the cubed potatoes to the skillet with the softened onions. Stir well to coat the potatoes in the oil and onion mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly covered.
  5. Sprinkle 1 tsp of paprika over the potatoes and stir again to distribute the spice evenly. The paprika will add a subtle smoky flavor and a warm color to the dish.
  6. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow the potatoes to cook gently, stirring occasionally, until they are tender. You can test this by piercing a potato cube with a fork; it should go through easily without breaking the potato apart.
  7. Once the potatoes are tender, season them with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the dish.
  8. Serve the Colombian Potato Side warm, directly from the skillet or transferred to a serving dish. This dish is perfect for sharing at the table, embodying the communal spirit of Colombian home cooking.
Cover of Authentic Colombian Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Colombian Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Colombian Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Colombian volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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