Created by dienia b on April 19, 2022
Step 1: In large pot
Step 2: Bring heavily salted water to a boil.
Step 3: Preheat your oven to 450 degreed Fahrenheit.
Step 4: Peel and cube potatoes.
Step 5: One the water is boiling, add baking soda and potatoes and cook until fork-tender, around 10 minutes.
Step 6: While the potatoes are boiling
Step 7: Heat olive oil in a small saucepan.
Step 8: Add crushed cumin seeds and peppercorns, cook over low heat for around 30 seconds.
Step 9: Add the garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (set aside ½ teaspoon for later), and hot paprika, and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly, and remove from heat.
Step 10: Once the potatoes are cooked
Step 11: Drain and add to a large mixing bowl — but do not rinse
Step 12: Add cornstarch and spiced oil, and toss until evenly coated.
Step 13: There should be a sticky, starchy coating on the outside of each potato cube.
Step 14: Lay potato cubes in a single layer on a sheet pan and cook undisturbed for 20 minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 15: After 20 minutes
Step 16: Remove the pan from the oven, stir the potatoes, and give the pan a shake.
Step 17: Return to the oven for another 20 minutes.
Step 18: While the potatoes are still in the oven
Step 19: Start on the nacho cheese sauce.
Step 20: Melt butter in a small saucepan, then add flour and cook for at least one minute, stirring constantly.
Step 21: Whisk in milk and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
Step 22: Let the mixture cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
Step 23: This should take around three minutes.
Step 24: Whisk in shredded And diced cheese and stir until combined, then reduce the heat to its lowest setting and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the potatoes are ready to come out of the oven.
Step 25: Remove the potatoes from the oven.
Step 26: To serve
Step 27: Place potatoes on a plate, and top with cheese sauce.
Step 28: Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and jalapenos if you want