Last Updated on December 17, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Patatas Bravas – Spanish Vegetarian Tapas topped with a freshly made aioli and tomato sauce.
In Spain, tapas are very popular. In restaurants and bars, people often will eat a variety of small plates instead of a full meal. The Moors ruled Spain for a long time and this tradition most likely came from the Arabic idea of meze. In fact, in some Spanish recipes, the Arabic effect is still seen. Their use of spices like cumin, coriander and paprika and their tradition of shish kebab, called pinchos. That’s a recipe I will have to show you at a later date.
Smoked Paprika
Smoked Paprika is integral to Spanish cuisine. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you will just substitute sweet paprika. The intense smoky flavor makes a huge difference in taste. If you have searched your city far and wide and can’t find smoked paprika, then the best alternative would be to add a little cumin to paprika. It still won’t be the same, but it is the best substitute.
Traditionally, Patatas Bravas is often made with fried potatoes. I made this version a little healthier by making roasted potatoes. The umami which is achieved from the combination of the spiced tomato sauce and fresh aioli is so delicious you won’t care if the potatoes are fried or roasted or even boiled, I would venture to guess!
There are three parts to this simple dish:
- Roasted Potatoes
- Spiced Tomato Sauce
- Fresh Garlic Aioli
They are then served all together in a bowl.
However, an additional squeeze of fresh lemon juice on the top makes all the difference and brings this already delicious dish to the next level!
This makes a great addition to your holiday table. You can serve it as a starter or as a side dish. Now doesn’t this bite scream UMAMI – a little spicy, a little sour, a little smoky…
It also can make the foundation for a fabulous #glutenfree meal. I had some with a piece of grilled salmon for lunch and it worked great together!
Don’t forget to check out the other Spanish dishes I’ve whipped up in the past!
Spanish Recipes
Patatas Bravas – Spanish Vegetarian Tapas
Ingredients
- Potato Ingredients:
- 1 lb. potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- Tomato Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 large plum tomatoes about 10 oz.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 finely chopped garlic clove
- 1 finely chopped red jalapeno
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- Garlic Aoili Ingredients:
- 1 finely chopped garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- salt to taste
- Garnish Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
- fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Peel potatoes and cut into large pieces.
- Toss potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Place on a single layer on a baking tray.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes, until fork tender.
- Meanwhile, let’s make the sauce and aioli
- To make the sauce, puree the tomatoes in a food processor.
- In a skillet, heat oil.
- Add garlic and jalapeno.
- Once softened, add pureed tomatoes, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
- Simmer for 5 minutes on medium heat, until the sauce thickens.
- To make the aioli, make sure the garlic is chopped very fine.
- Sprinkle a little salt on top and with the back of a knife press down to form a garlic paste. (this can also be done using a mortar and pestle)
- In a bowl, combine garlic, lemon juice and egg yolk.
- Using an electric mixer, beat well until the egg yolk becomes light in color.
- VERY SLOWLY, add olive oil a little at a time, beating well after each addition until well incorporated.
- Keep on beating and it will thicken into a mayonnaise consistency.
- Add salt and mix to combine.
- To serve, place potatoes in a bowl.
- Top with tomato sauce and then aioli.
- Garnish with parsley and another good squeeze of a lemon.
Notes
It is important to add smoked paprika at beginning. If you add after the sauce is cooked, the flavor will be too strong.
Omg, hard to resist to this ultimate tapas, patatas bravas looks irresistible and droolworthy. Inviting myself to your place Mir.
yes they are so delicious with such simple ingredients!
I felt like going through a Master chef recipe. Three individual components make the whole dish so delicious. Love your presentation so much.
awww – thank you for the compliment!
The potato lover in me LOVES this recipe. What a great little dish of deliciousness. I would probably eat a LARGE dish LOL!!
I am serious – you will LOVE this dish – with just a few simple ingredients – the combination is just magic in your mouth!
I can’t imagine how juicy and flavorful these tapas are with all that aioli and tomato sauce in them! I am so ready for a few of these delicios batatas bravas!
these few simple ingredients come together in such a delicious way – You will love it I am sure!
This made me crave Spanish tapas! Patatas bravas is always my number one dish when making or ordering tapas. And this recipe just looks fabulous! Will definitely give it a try
Although I’ve often gone out for Tapas in Spanish Bars here in NYC and even once in Madrid – this was new to me but I’m so glad I discovered it
The combination of the tomato and the garlic aoli is my favorite part. This sounds so delicious!
it makes an awesome combination that I think will work over other vegetables also
I’ve had patatas bravas in Spain but never made it myself. Yours looks so good! I like the idea of roasting the potatoes instead of frying them!
yes this homemade healthier version I am sure you will love as much as the ones in Spain!
Any potato lover will love this. Looks too good
thank you – yes these simple ingredients came together quite deliciously
Oh my goodness this sounds so good! I love tapas so I will definitely have to try these soon. Thank you so much for sharing. YUM
sure – hope you try them and love them as much as I did!
This tapa recipe looks amazing. The combination of flavours is so perfectly matched, I love it! Thanks for another amazing recipe.
I’m a huge tapas fan! Eating a bunch of small bites of different food is so fun. I’ll definitely have to try these!
yes and it is also a great option to serve at parties!
I love the flavor of smoked paprika! And potato dishes are always such a hit in my house! Will for sure have to try this!
me too – smoked paprika just makes everything better 😉
I love anything with a little citrus flavor. It’s a perfect way to have all of the flavors burst out. I have not tried ptatatas bravas but I am looking forward to trying it.
yes – the lemon juice definitely brings this dish all together!
I love anything with potatoes and I’m sure I can make a meal out of this tapas dish. The spicy tomato sauce and garlic aioli it all sounds like the perfect combination.
sure this tapas is so delicious – you don’t need anything else!
What a riot of flavours here, Potatoes, tomatoes and garlic and those clicks, specially with the one where you are squeezing fresh lemon juice. I wish you could pass this plate to me right now.
thanks – I have really been working hard at getting more action shots!
I’ve never had patatas bravas, but you make it sound irresistible. There are so many flavors jam packed into each bite! What an awesome way to add a little something extra to some spuds!
It is I am sure you will love every bite!
I love patatas bravas (and all tapas really!) so it’s great to have a healthier version to try! Thank you 🙂
yes this healthier version is just as delicious!
Great use of potato Mireille. Simple scrumptious dish. The fact that both the tomato sauce and the aioli are made from scratch is what truly makes this standout as spectacular. Attention to detail, robust great flavours from great indredients, properly treated. WOW
thank you – yes simple ingredients can be brought together quickly in a spectacular way just by using fresh ingredients!
Never tried Tapas but read few recipes on it.. Your’s seems a no-fuss dish with simple ingredients.. Like how you explore and write on International Cuisine.
thanks – yes simplicity can marry together complimentary flavors still into such delicious dishes!
The potato lovers at home are sure to enjoy this variation, Mir. Shall bookmark to try.
yes – potato is so versatile and this shows how delicious they can be!