Deeepfryd golden-brown crispy pieces of potatoes served with a spicy sauce. Patata Bravas are a true staple of Spain and a wonderful tapa or side dish. Easy to make and great on its own or as a condiment for many types of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. This recipe is a must-try for your next Spanish evening.
Why not try something new and exciting? Give this classic dish a try at home. Simple to make and hard to resist, Patata brava will surely bring something extra to your everyday favourite dishes.
What are Patata bravas?
Patata bravas are Spanish style deep-fried potato cubes that are always served with a special spicy sauce that can vary both in preparation and flavour. It is also common to serve Patata Bravas with two types of sauces, spicy salsa and aioli, a garlic mayonnaise. Served as a tapa, a side dish or sharing plater, often paired with different types of meats, fish and vegetable dishes. Served piping hot, slightly salty and with a pinch of Spanish smoked sweet paprika.
Patata Brava is also called Patatas a la brava or Papas bravas, all meaning "spicy potatoes", due to the typical spicy brava sauce served with fried potatoes. The dish is served all around Spain, but depending on the region the sauces differ. Salsa brava is obligatory but some regions serve it without aioli and mayonnaise, meanwhile, other regions serve both sauces or different types of dipping sauces.
The history of Patata Bravas
As with most types of food around the world, the history of origin differs. Fried potatoes have been popular in Spain for centuries, but it's the special sauce that makes this dish so popular and different. Most believe that Patata bravas originates from Madrid, where the first salsa brava sauce is said to have been made. But the person who first made the dish is unknown and the stories and legends are many.
Let's talk about Salsa brava
Salsa brava means spicy sauce and the sauce can vary extremely in flavour profile, ingredients and preparation. Every restaurant and family has its own recipe and favourite. The foundation of the sauce is tomatoes and chilli. Some of the most common ways to make the sauce is with tomato paste or tind tomatoes, boiled with spices, herbs and chilli. Some common ingredients are garlic, onion, paprika and bay leaf. The sauce is mixed until smooth and served cold or at room temperature, either as it is or mixed with mayonnaise which makes it creamy.
Patata Bravas recipe
Patata Bravas are easy to make at home and perfect for a tapas evening. Great as they are or served with fish, meats or small tapas dishes. Making Patata bravas at home is a great way to put a new twist on everyday potato dishes and to try out the Spanish food culture. Preferably served with classic Brava sauce, Salsa brava and a cold beer or a glass of Spanish wine
You need
800 grams of rustic potatoes
Vegetable oil for deep frying
A pinch of smoked sweet paprika
A pinch of salt
How you make it
Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm.
Rinse the potatoes in cold water to get rid of the starch.
Place the potatoes in a pot of water on the stove and bring to a boil.
Boil the potatoes until softened but still firm. Make sure not to overcook them.
Place the potatoes on kitchen paper and set them aside to dry.
Add the vegetable oil to a deep pan or a deep frier. Bring the oil up to 175 degrees C.
Carefully add the potatoes to the oil and fry for 6 to 8 minutes or until the potatoes are golden-brown and crisp.
Remove the potatoes from the oil and place them on kitchen paper to drain off any excess oil.
Place the potatoes in a bowl and garnish with a pinch of sweet smoked paprika and salt.
Serve piping hot with salsa brava and aioli or mayonnaise if desired.
Make Patata bravas at home
Give Potata Bravas a try at home and surprise your guests, friends and family with a Spanish tapas evening. Making a tapas evening at home is a great way to experience the Spanish culture and this dish is pretty easy to make. It's great as a starter, with other types of tapas or as a side dish to meats and fish dishes. Try something new, explore the Spanish food culture and serve Potata Bravas at your next dinner party.
