Friday, October 30, 2009

Patatas Bravas - Foodie Friday




From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...
There are many versions of this classic Spanish tapa. This one comes from Valencia and it's made with olive oil and a special paste of chilies, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika and vinegar. Patatas Bravas are as popular in Spain as potato skins are here. The name means "fierce potatoes." Bravas suggests the dish is very hot and that it's macho to eat it. This is one of the tapa that I regularly prepare for our supper and because I can control the quantity being made I don't have to deal with leftovers. I also happen to love these potatoes and will make them for myself when I'm alone for dinner. When served hot and crisp from the skillet with a perfectly fried egg, there is almost nothing I'd rather have to eat. It's important to remember you can control the amount of heat in this dish. The chilies that are used in Spain are not available in my area so I worked around the problem by using cayenne pepper or red chili flakes. If you like fiery food, use one-eighth to one-half teaspoon cayenne pepper in the paste you use to coat the potatoes. The Spaniards use Choricero, Nora, and Guindilla chilies. If you can find them, by all means use them. Just remember that size is inversely proportional to the heat a chili generates. Some small chilies will send you straight to perdition. The recipe begins with potatoes that are almost tender. You can steam, microwave or boil the potatoes to get them to that point. I prefer to microwave mine on HIGH power for 10 minutes. You may peel them if you wish. I don't bother, because I think the potatoes hold up better with the skin on. They are then fried in a small amount of oil until crisp and golden. Just before serving they are tossed with the seasoning paste. While these are sometimes served at room temperature, I advise you to eat them while they're hot. Sitting around doesn't improve the taste of anything that been fried. Donuts are the only exception. I like to serve these with an aioli. These are a real taste treat. I hope you'll try them.

Patatas Bravas...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1-1/2 pounds small new potatoes (I use Yukon Gold)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
3 dried chilies, seeded and chopped or 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons sweet smoked paprika
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
Coarse sea salt

Directions:
1) Scrub potatoes. Steam, boil or microwave until just tender. Cool slightly. Peel if desired. Cut small potatoes in half.
2) Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, turning frequently until golden and crisp.
3) Meanwhile mash garlic, cayenne, cumin, paprika using back of a spoon or a mortar and pestle. Stir in vinegar. Add to potatoes with sliced bell pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes longer. Sprinkle with sea salt. Serve hot with aioli. Yield: 4 servings.

This recipe is being linked to:

Designs By Gollum - Foodie Friday

43 comments :

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Mary - this looks delish!!! Please come and cook for me.

:)
ButterYum

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

PS - is it still called tapas if we eat an entire plate full?

;)

Mary Bergfeld said...

ButterYum, I'll never tell, but strictly speaking it is no longer a tapa if the portion is meal sized. So, I use tapa recipes but make meals of them :-).

Unknown said...

This looks delicious. Patatas, I have never had a recipe for these. Karen

Coleens Recipes said...

I would have to make patatas not-so-bravas (hubby is freaked out by "heat") but these certainly would perk up boring old potatoes. Well done.

Diary From Africa said...

Mary, I not only enjoy looking at the beautiful photographs of the food which you make, but also reading your descriptions and tips for each recipe - your blog is always a delight to visit !

Katy ~ said...

Your potatoes look so crispy, golden-delicious. We are heat-shy so it's good to be able to control the spice. Potatoes are a favorite, these look fiery good!

Deb in Hawaii said...

Mmm...they look and sound delicious and what a great combo of ingredients.

P. said...

They look good!
Alfazema

Frau Nilsson said...

This recipe sounds delicious!
Thanks for sharing!
Best wishes from Germany!

The Blonde Duck said...

You always come up with the most delicious things!!! I LOVE this!

Martha said...

Husband Jim loves things with a "kick" -- and I love the idea of an egg and these potatoes!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

These really are a special treat. I even had them at Contigo a Spanish tapas place in San Francisco that I give 5 stars.

Dreamgirl said...

I love Patatas Bravas. I will definitely try your recipe! Thanks for always encouraging me to go out to my kitchen and make something fun and exciting (instead of just opening the freezer door...)

Wishing you a very happy Halloween weekend!

Penny said...

They have so much color I thought they were sweet potatoes. This is something I know we would love and with a fried egg it would be a perfect supper.

NKP said...

These sound really good! Great for a home pub night.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

these look terrific, and bring on the heat. But I love leftovers, next day, I would dice some of these beauties and serve over a poached egg... A little hollandaise sauce... yum

Gotta agree with Butteryum, I would eat these till the very idea of tapas would be a joke

GREAT post

Cathy said...

Yum, this looks like a winner, Mary. I'm so often looking for a quick, tasty dinner for one. Potatoes and an egg are perfect.

bj said...

Ummm, these sound like something Bill would love.Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Have a wonderful weekend..
love, bj

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Hey, Mary, come take a look I said nice things about you

http://yearonthegrill.blogspot.com/2009/10/ernie-banks-my-favorite-cub-lets-play.html

Kathleen said...

I'd have to leave out the hot stuff.. Irish stomach you know...but they look wonderful!
:)

Mimi said...

Yum ...these sound so delicious, I love all of the spices.
Mimi

Maggie said...

Mary,
As soon as the photo loaded I said "oh", out loud!
These fierce potatoes are just the kind of thing I love to eat and I'll try this recipe soon.
Happy Halloween
Maggie

Anonymous said...

These look wonderful, potatoes are my weakness. I will be trying them. Thanks for sharing. Denise@cottagesisters

Nancy Jane said...

With the strong flavors and heat, I think my husband will love these!

Barbara said...

Yowee! Hot and spicy! These look wonderful, but I think I cut back on the spices just a tad. :)

xinex said...

This looks scrumptious, Mary. I love tapas and my husband loves potatoes so I am definitely going to prepare this. Thanks for the recipe...Christine

Emily@marvelousrecipes.net said...

My hubby would really enjoy these. The heat would definitely not be a problem for him! Thanks for sharing with us. :)

satakieli said...

My goodness, this looks delicious!

I have to try making this next week.

Deborah said...

Mary, this looks absolutely delish. Definitely printing this recipe and I'll try it soon. Thanks for your sweet comment over at Under The Cajun Sun.

Southerncook said...

Mary, This sounds like a great potato dish. I doubt I could find those kinds of peppers in our area either but I like your suggestion. Doesn't sound quite as hot.

Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

Lyndas recipe box said...

These look so delicious that I think they are calling my name...I love potatos fixed just about any way, and these sound so full of flavor. I know my husband will love trying patapas bravas as well. Thanks, Mary and have a wonderful week end!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I think I could make a meal of these too. They look awesome!

Lori E said...

This is something my son will definitely make. It has lots of our favorite things in it. I have grown some very hot peppers this year and will grind those to use in this.

Jennie said...

Mary, I am so in love with Patatas Bravas! The spicier the better!

I have tried to make a healthier version before by roasting the potatoes but they just don't taste the same. :(

Great recipe!

Taste of Beirut said...

Looks delicious and it reminded me of a potato dish that is very popular in Lebanon called batata harra (hot potato)

Kathy said...

Yummm!!! One of my favorites!!! Can't wait to try your recipe!!!

Anonymous said...

some good carbs... these are beauties

blessings
gp

Unknown said...

Mary
A GREAT!!! recipe for potatoes, I like the idea of the chili in this recipe.
Geri

My Little Space said...

This is a different kind of flavourful potatoes!

3 hungry tummies said...

A wonderful side dish to go with my next lamb roast . Thanks for the recipe :)

Zurin said...

That looks so good. Im glad I found ur blog on food with style!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Zurin, welcome to One Perfect Bite. I hope you'll visit with us often.

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