🇱🇾 Libyan Cuisine

Batata Mbasla

Libyan Fried Onion Potatoes

Prep Time 30 min
Servings 4
Difficulty Easy
Calories 287 kcal

Cubed potatoes fried with caramelized onions, turmeric, and chili, creating a boldly spiced golden side dish. This Libyan potato preparation is addictively simple and deeply flavored.

Ingredients

  • 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2 large onions, sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh chili (optional)

Instructions

  1. 1 Peel and cube potatoes into 2cm pieces. Pat dry with kitchen towels.
  2. 2 Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Fry potato cubes until golden and crispy on all sides, about 10 minutes.
  3. 3 Remove potatoes and set aside. In the same oil, cook sliced onions until deeply caramelized and golden brown.
  4. 4 Add turmeric, paprika, cayenne, and cumin to the onions. Stir for 1 minute until spices are fragrant.
  5. 5 Return potatoes to the skillet, toss with the spiced onions, and season with salt and pepper.
  6. 6 Serve hot as a side dish alongside any main course, with fresh chili on top for extra heat.

Did You Know?

Batata mbasla appears so frequently on Libyan tables that many Libyans joke it is the unofficial national side dish.

From The Culinary Codex — http://theculinarycodex.com/dish/libyan/batata-mbasla/