Patatas Bravas With Saffron Aïoli Recipes

PATATAS BRAVAS HOME FRIES WITH ROASTED TOMATO AIOLI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place a baking sheet in the oven.
• Heat a tablespoon of oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the paprika and cook for 30 seconds. Let cool slightly.
• Combine the onion mixture, mayonnaise, tomato, hot pepper sauce, and vinegar in a food processor and process until smooth, season with salt and pepper. Scrape the mixture into a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Heat 2-inches pure olive oil or canola oil in a large high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet until it begins to shimmer. Add the potatoes, season with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove the potatoes to a paper towel-lined plate for a moment to drain the excess oil. Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven, put the potatoes on the pan in an even layer and bake until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan and season the potatoes with a bit more salt. Transfer to a platter and drizzle with some of the aioli and garnish with parsley leaves. Serve hot.

PATATAS BRAVAS

Steps:

• For the sherry-saffron aioli: Combine the sherry vinegar and saffron threads in a small bowl and let sit for 5 minutes to rehydrate the saffron.
• Combine the mayonnaise, shallots, anchovy paste, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the saffron-vinegar mixture in a food processor; process until smooth. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 days.
• For the spicy tomato sauce: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and saute until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and 1 teaspoon salt and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chopped tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, 15 minutes. Serve immediately, or cool and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 days.
• For the potatoes: Place two baking sheets on oven racks. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut the potatoes into halves or quarters, depending on size, to get roughly 1-inch pieces. Toss the potatoes with the olive oil and 1 tablespoon salt in a large bowl. Carefully pour half of the potatoes onto the first baking sheet; they should sizzle as they hit the pan. Repeat with the remaining potatoes on the second baking sheet. Roast, stirring halfway through, until the potatoes are tender and crispy, 40 to 45 minutes. (If some of the potatoes do not move when you stir them, do not force them; they will release from the pan when they have crisped up.) Let cool slightly.
• Spread one third of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a serving dish. Top with half of the potatoes. Spoon another third of the tomato sauce over the potatoes, and then top with the remaining potatoes and the rest of the tomato sauce. Dollop with the aioli, and sprinkle with the parsley and some paprika. Serve any extra aioli on the side.

OVEN-FRIED PATATAS BRAVAS (CRISPY POTATOES WITH TWO SAUCES)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Put potato chunks in a large bowl, season generously with salt and toss to coat. Leave for a few minutes to let potatoes absorb salt. Add olive oil and unpeeled garlic cloves and toss to coat well. (Don't skimp on the oil; it can be strained and saved after cooking for future use.)
• Transfer potatoes (and garlic cloves) and oil to a large cast-iron skillet or heavy roasting pan. Make sure to have potatoes in a single layer without crowding. (If necessary, use two pans.) There should be a good 1/2-inch oil in the bottom of the pan. Add more if required.
• Place pan in oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until potato chunks are well browned on the bottom. With a metal spatula, carefully turn chunks over. Reduce heat to 400 degrees, and continue roasting until potatoes are well browned and crisp, about another 15 to 20 minutes.
• While potatoes are roasting, make the two sauces: For the salsa brava, put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and let sizzle without browning, then stir in flour and let mixture sizzle. Stir in tomato paste, pimentón dulce and pimentón picante, then add chicken broth gradually, stirring well as the sauce thickens. Bring to a gentle simmer, add vinegar and cook for 5 minutes until the sauce has a gravylike consistency, but isn't too thick. Thin with a little more broth or water, if necessary. Season with salt to taste.
• For the allioli, put egg yolks and garlic in a mortar or small bowl and whisk together. (Alternatively, use a mini food processor or stick blender, see note.) Add oil a few drops at a time, whisking vigorously with each addition. As the sauce thickens, add olive oil a teaspoon at a time. If the aioli gets too thick, whisk in 1 tablespoon water, then continue to whisk in remaining oil. The finished sauce should have the consistency of softly whipped cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• When potatoes are ready, use spatula to transfer to a pan lined with paper towels to blot, then to a warm serving dish. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Serve warm with the two sauces.