Big Fat Fondant Potatoes

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Bring chicken broth to a simmer; whisk in miso and dashi. Turn off the heat; set aside until needed.

Turn potatoes onto narrowest side; trim straight down to create a flat surface. Turn and trim the other side with a straight cut parallel to the first. Cut a little off each end to square the potato a bit more, then make 2 angled cuts on each side of the squared ends. Transfer to a bowl of cold water. Reserve trimmings for another use. Drain, and dry with paper towels.

Place a large cast-iron pan or other heavy ovenproof skillet on high heat until hot. Add vegetable oil; place potatoes in skillet with largest flat side down. Season tops with half the salt. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook until well browned, about 4 minutes. Turn potatoes over and repeat, to salt and brown the other side, about 4 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium, and use a paper towel to soak up excess oil between potatoes in the pan. Add butter, and as it melts, baste tops of potatoes with melted butter. Once butter has toasted to a light brown color, turn off the heat and strain in the miso dashi broth.

Roast potatoes, uncovered, in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes.

Remove and turn potatoes over. Add the 2/3 cup plain chicken broth, and return to the oven to continue roasting at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) until potatoes can be pierced very easily with a knife, 25 to 30 minutes more.

Check occasionally to see if broth has evaporated; add more as needed. Brush tops of potatoes with pan drippings, and serve.