Spanish Tapas

Posted On June 29, 2010

Patatas Bravas

Patatas Aioli

We wanted to try our first Tapa in Spain but had no idea before about tapas. There were lot of small restaurants in Barcelona on the roadside which were named Bars. We tried our first tapas in one of these restaurants. Tapas is a small-sized snack and can be had before a meal or along with meal.  Tapas can be had as a starter or an appetizer. Spanish Omelette and Garlic shrimp is among the popular Tapas.

The two dishes which I have posted here are nearly the same, only the sauce topping is different. Patatas Bravas is topped with tomato puree sauce and Patatas alioli is topped with Mayonnaise sauce. Bravas and Alioli  were tasting great with the fried potatoes.

Ingredients for the potato base:

1. Potato – 3 medium, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
2. Olive oil – 5 Tbs
3. Garlic – 5 cloves, minced
4. Salt for the potatoes

For Bravas sauce :

1. Olive oil – 1tsp
2. Tomato puree – 1/2 cup
3. Chilli flakes – 1/2 tsp
4. Salt a little
5. Oregano – 1/2  tsp, dried

For Aioli sauce: Mayonnaise sauce

1. Egg yolk – 1
2. Olive oil – 1/2 cup or any vegetable oil
3. Lemon juice – 1 Tbs
4. Salt – 1/4 tsp

Method for potato base:

1. Add the oil to the hot pan and shallow fry the potatoes. Add salt and garlic and cook till the potatoes are soft. approx 15 – 20 min.

( You can also serve the potatoes at this point. It tastes wonderful.)

Method for Bravas sauce:

1. Add oil to the hot pan and add tomato puree, chili flakes, and salt and let it cook for 15 minutes. Cover it with lid and cook.

2. Add the oregano when it is done.

Method for Aioli sauce: Mayonnaise sauce

1. Add the egg yolk and start whisking, slowly add the oil and continue. Add the lemon juice and salt and do whisking.

you can see the sauce gets thickening. you can also refrigerate it and use it later.

Tip: Adding more olive oil may sometimes make the sauce bitter. So it is better to add a few spoons of olive oil and remaining with vegetable oil.