A classic comfort food side dish featuring golden-brown potatoes and sweet caramelized onions. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 medium potatoes (russet or Yukon Gold), peeled and sliced or cubed
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable, canola, or olive oil)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Fresh herbs (parsley, chives) for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- Peel and slice or cube the potatoes into roughly uniform pieces. Slicing them into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices or cubing them into 1/2 to 1 inch cubes works well.
- Peel and slice the onion.
- Heat the Oil:
- Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
- Cook the Potatoes:
- Add the potatoes to the hot oil. Spread them out in a single layer as much as possible.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the potatoes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and tender. This will take about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the potato pieces.
- Add the Onions:
- Once the potatoes are mostly cooked through and golden, add the sliced onions to the pan.
- If you are using garlic powder or paprika, add them now.
- Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and caramelized and the potatoes are crispy. This will take another 5-10 minutes.
- Adjust Seasoning:
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve:
- Remove the fried potatoes and onions from the pan and transfer them to a serving plate.
- Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired.
- Serve hot.
Tips and Variations:
- Crispier Potatoes: For extra crispy potatoes, you can soak them in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking and pat them dry thoroughly.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Bacon or Sausage: For a heartier dish, add cooked bacon or sausage to the pan along with the onions.
- Breakfast Hash: This recipe makes a great base for a breakfast hash. Add scrambled eggs, cheese, and your favorite toppings.
- Even Cooking: Try to keep the potatoes in a single layer as much as possible while cooking. This helps them cook evenly and get crispy.