Batata Harra With Ras El Hanout Recipes

LEBANESE POTATOES WITH CILANTRO SAUCE (BATATA HARRA)

Steps:

• Cut the potatoes into half-inch cubes. Rinse under cold water until water runs clear. Drain and dry thoroughly on paper towels.
• Pour oil into a deep fryer, or a large, deep, frying pan, to 2 inches depth. Heat the oil to 300 degrees. Set aside a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Working in batches, if necessary, fry the potatoes until tender inside, about 5 minutes. Transfer potatoes from the oil to the baking sheet. Turn off the fryer, or if using a pan, remove from stove, but do not discard the oil.
• Allow potatoes to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate uncovered for two hours. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce.
• Heat the oil in a wide saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in garlic, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and pale gold, about 3 minutes; do not allow to brown. Add cilantro and stir until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a large mixing bowl, and set aside.
• Remove potatoes from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature. Meanwhile, heat the deep-fryer or frying pan to 350 to 375 degrees. Set aside a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Pat potatoes with paper towels to be sure they are completely dry. Working in batches, if necessary, fry the potatoes until crisp and golden, 3 minutes or as needed. Transfer potatoes from the oil to the baking sheet.
• When all the potatoes are cooked, add to the bowl of sauce, and sprinkle with Aleppo pepper and salt to taste. Toss gently. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl, and garnish with minced parsley. Drizzle with lemon juice. If desired, serve with sliced tomatoes and scallions, or with fried, scrambled or poached eggs.

BATATA HARRA WITH RAS EL HANOUT

Steps:

• Plunge the potatoes in a pan of boiling water for five minutes. Drain and leave to cool.
• Mix the oil, salt and ras el hanout in a large bowl. Toss the potatoes in the mixture and tip it all out into a baking dish or tray. Stick this in the oven at 220C for 15 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and add the peppers, garlic and chilli flakes. Mix it up a bit and return to the oven for 25-30 minutes, until the potatoes are nicely browned and the peppers are starting to blacken around the edges.
• Finally, tip everything back into the bowl you used for the oil. Add the coriander, lemon juice and zest, stir it all through and serve it warm as a side dish, a starter, an alternative to falafels, a bowl of finger food to share during the football....