The potatoes had calmed the salt, that's what Cougar had learned in his time lurking and lingering. When you eat the salt on its own, you die of fire. When you put it together, it's tasty. As far as Cougar is concerned, maybe the spice is a little too much in the salt, but nothing he can't handle.

He nods to Jake, coaxing him to eat it, and then to tell him how clever and smart he is, because of course he is, but that doesn't mean he doesn't like hearing it.