I have not yet met a fried potato that I did not enjoy. French fries, hashbrowns, tator tots, and the list goes on. Any country that had access to potatoes has thrown those little buddies into hot oil and discovered the wonder of a crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, fried potato. These crispy little potato nuggets are the brave Spanish sibling to French fries. Patatas Bravas translates to “Brave Potatoes”, which brings me such delight. Our cute little brave potatoes earned their name for the spicy-ish sauce that accompanies them. Don’t worry, because this recipe is geared towards kids, our sauce gives all the flavor with just a whisper of heat. The only bravery required is that of trying a new food. Serve the sauce on the side, along with a cooling mayo or sour cream. Happy cooking!

Patatas Bravas

Ingredients

2 pounds yellow potatoes

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

½ cup olive oil

2 garlic cloves

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 Tablespoons all purpose flour

1 Tablespoon tomato paste

1 Tablespoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 cup chicken broth 

1 Tablespoon sherry vinegar

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400℉. 
2. Peel and dice your potatoes. Put them in a large bowl.
3. Add salt and pepper to potatoes and stir. 
4. Add oil to potatoes and stir. 
5. Pour potatoes onto a rimmed baking sheet and spread out potato chunks so that none of them are touching. 
6. Roast for 30-45 minutes, or until potatoes are soft and bottoms are crispy. It’s helpful to use a flat spatula to scrape the potatoes off the baking sheet. (ask a grown up for help with this step)

For the bravas sauce: 

1. Mince garlic. 
2. Add 2 Tablespoons olive oil to a large, heavy bottomed skillet. Heat on medium. Add garlic and heat for 30 seconds. Stir constantly so that it does not brown. 
3. Stir in your flour and whisk to combine. Then add your tomato paste, sweet paprika, and smoked paprika.
4. Slowly add your chicken broth. Stir your sauce until it thickens. Bring to a simmer (small bubbles). 
5. Add vinegar and simmer (small bubbles) for 5 minutes or until your sauce has the texture of thick soup. 
6. Season with salt and pepper