Our Patatas Bravas tapas recipe (Spanish Spicy Tomato Potatoes)

About once a month we have a tapas night at home and watch a movie.

It's so nice to sit down to a table full of a selection of yummy food accompanied by a fun film.

This month we watched 'Ella Enchanted', which all four of us enjoyed immenseley.

We ate salt n pepper squid, olives, avocado, orange & garlic grilled fish, battered prawns, balsamic dressed baby spinach, Bhaji pancakes, fresh bread and Patatas Bravas!

Tapas is a Spanish word, translated in English as 'Snacks'.

They were one of our favourite things when My Man and I travelled through Spain in the early 2000's.

Tapas are inexpensive, small portioned tastes I suppose. They represent the items on the menu at each bar and restaurants around Spain. 

Often they can be complimentary when buying a cerveza (beer) or you can order them yourself. A great way to sample the menu and to while away an afternoon...

...Ahhhh, the fond memories of travel! But I digress...

Here is our recipe for Patatas Bravas (Spicy Tomato Potatoes), as we've tried to recreate one of our delectable memories and share them with our beautiful boys.

Patatas Bravas

3 large potatoes

400g tin tomatoes

2 shallots

3 cloves garlic

1/4t cayenne pepper

1t dried herbs

1t chutney

olive oil

Salt & Pepper

Peel and cut the potatoes into a large dice.

Shallow fry them in olive oil (or you could happily roast them in the oven instead).

In a saucepan cook off the chopped shallots and garlic. Then add the tomatoes, cayenne, herbs and chutney. Bring to the boil , season with a pinch of salt & freshly ground black pepper.

Use a hand blender to result in a chunky sauce. 

Pour the tomato sauce over the potatoes and you are ready to eat!

 ~ There's so many changes you can make. 

Use fresh herbs, all sorts of combinations are possible.

Use a teaspoon of honey and one of balsamic vinegar instead of the chutney.

More or less garlic or cayenne according to taste. Even add chillies... The list goes on, it's up to you!

It's an easy one. Treat yourself.

ღ