Chef John’s Patatas Bravas

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Description

These fried potatoes are fiercely textured, fiercely flavored, fiercely presented, and fiercely enjoyed. How fierce is really up to you and your inner Spaniard. There are as many patatas bravas recipes as homes in Spain, and this is nothing more than my latest rendition.

Ingredients

  • Dipping Sauce:
  • 1 clove garlic, minced, or more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar, or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground chipotle peppers
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
  • Spice Blend:
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground chipotle peppers
  • 2 quarts cold water
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Make dipping sauce: Combine garlic
  2. smoked paprika
  3. and salt in a mortar and pestle or food processor; process until smooth. Mix in mayonnaise
  4. sherry vinegar
  5. tomato paste
  6. chipotle chile powder
  7. and cayenne pepper until combined. Cover and refrigerate sauce.
  8. Make spice blend: Mix together salt
  9. black pepper
  10. paprika
  11. and chipotle chile powder in a small bowl. Set aside.
  12. Make potatoes: Pour water into a large saucepan. Stir salt
  13. smoked paprika
  14. cumin
  15. and bay leaves into water. Bring to a boil
  16. reduce heat to low
  17. and cover; simmer for 10 minutes.
  18. Stir potatoes into seasoned water
  19. bring to a boil
  20. and simmer until potatoes are tender but not fully cooked
  21. 4 to 5 minutes. The tip of a paring knife should easily insert into the center of a potato cube. Drain potatoes and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely
  22. about 45 minutes.
  23. Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  24. Add cooled potato cubes and cook
  25. stirring frequently
  26. until golden brown
  27. 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer potatoes to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to cool slightly. Toss in a bowl with spice blend and serve with dipping sauce.

Prep Time: 25 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 4

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