Best Lightened Up Papas Bravas Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S PATATAS BRAVAS

Steps:

• Combine garlic, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt in a mortar and pestle or food processor; process until smooth. Mix in mayonnaise, sherry vinegar, tomato paste, 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder, and cayenne pepper until combined. Cover and refrigerate dipping sauce.
• Mix 1 tablespoon salt, black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder together in a small bowl. Set spice blend aside.
• Pour water into a large saucepan and stir 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, cumin, and bay leaves into water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover; simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir potatoes into water-paprika mixture, bring to a boil, and simmer until potatoes are tender but not fully cooked, 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, about 45 minutes.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Add cooled potato cubes and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 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.

PATATAS BRAVAS

Steps:

• Place garlic on a cutting board; sprinkle with salt. Mash garlic with flat side of knife blade, forming a smooth paste. Transfer to a small bowl. Whisk in mayonnaise, lemon juice and oil until smooth. Cover; refrigerate until serving. , For bravas sauce, in a small saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 2-3 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in flour and paprika until smooth; gradually stir in broth. Add bay leaf. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 6-8 minutes. , Remove from heat; cool slightly. Remove and discard bay leaf. Puree sauce using an immersion blender. Or, cool slightly and puree sauce in a blender; return to pan and heat through. Keep warm., Cut potatoes into 1-1/2-in. cubes; soak in cold water for 30 minutes. Drain potatoes; pat dry with paper towels. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 250°. Fry potatoes until tender, 8-10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels and cool completely., Increase heat of oil to 375°. Fry potatoes again until crisp and golden brown, 3-4 minutes, turning frequently. Drain on paper towels; sprinkle with salt. Serve with bravas sauce and aioli.

AUTHENTIC PATATAS BRAVAS

Steps:

• Combine potatoes, 2 cups olive oil, and 3 teaspoons salt in a large cold skillet. Heat on low and cook until potatoes are softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Increase heat to high and fry until golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion with 1 teaspoon salt in the hot oil until onion has softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic, chile, and smoked paprika; simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and return to a simmer. Transfer tomato mixture to a blender, cover, and puree until tomato sauce is smooth.
• Serve patatas bravas with tomato puree and and mayonnaise for dipping.

PATATAS BRAVAS

Steps:

• Toss 2 pounds diced potatoes and 1 pound grated plum tomatoes in a baking dish with olive oil. Add a spoonful of sugar and 2 bay leaves; season with salt, paprika and cayenne pepper. Bake at 425 degrees until the potatoes are tender, about 40 minutes. Thin a little mayonnaise with water; drizzle over the potatoes and sprinkle with sliced scallions.

PATATAS BRAVAS

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until just cooked through, about 20 minutes. Strain and allow to cool. Remove skin with a paring knife, cut into 1-inch pieces, and set aside.
• Heat canola oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot to 325 degrees F.
• Carefully fry the potatoes until just cooked and a light tan color, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside to dry on a sheet pan or plate lined with paper towels.
• Increase the heat of the oil to 475 degrees F. Return the potatoes to the oil and fry until golden and crispy, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on the paper towel-lined plate. Season generously with salt and smoked Spanish paprika.

PATATAS BRAVAS [BAKED]

Steps:

• For the potatoes Place a large baking sheet in cold oven and preheat oven to 500 degrees.* Add baking soda and salt to a pot of water and bring to a boil. When boiling, add potatoes, cover, and bring back to boil. As soon as water is boiling, set a timer for 1 minute. After potatoes have been boiling for one minute, drain in a colander. Return potatoes to pot and stir for 30 seconds, then add ¼ cup olive oil, salt and pepper, stir to make sure potatoes are fully coated. Carefully remove hot baking sheet from oven and pour potatoes onto the hot baking sheet, arranging them in a single layer. Return to oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove sheet from oven and use a spatula to flip the potatoes, then return to the oven for another 15-25 minutes, or until potatoes are golden and crispy.
• For the Salsa Brava Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add onion and saute until soft and golden, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add tomatoes, salt, paprika, cayenne pepper and hot sauce, stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and allow to simmer on low for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. If you want, you can leave the sauce chunky, or if you would like it smooth as I did, transfer to a food processor to puree. Allow sauce to cool a bit before pulsing in food processor.
• For Garlic Aioli Add mayonnaise, lemon juice and garlic to a bowl and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper if desired.